Yuen Long Water Pipe Burst Repaired; Full 100-Meter Asbestos-Cement Main Replacement Planned
HK01 · 9 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
An underground water pipe burst on Castle Peak Road in Yuen Long near Tai Tong Road Light Rail station on the morning of September 11, 2026, flooding approximately 150 meters of road and pedestrian areas with yellow muddy water. The Water Services Department completed emergency repairs and restored water supply by 6pm the same day. Given the high re-burst risk associated with the aging asbestos-cement pipe material, the department announced plans to replace the entire 100-meter pipe section during nighttime off-peak hours instead of relying on temporary repairs.
Key Points
- A passerby reported the pipe burst at 7:46am on Castle Peak Road near Tai Tong Road Light Rail station; bricks on the walkway were scattered and slightly sunken as yellow muddy water gushed out
- Approximately 150 meters of road and pedestrian walkway were flooded; vehicles and pedestrians had to wade through the water while MTR Corporation deployed staff to build sandbag barriers between the road and Light Rail tracks
- The Water Services Department confirmed the burst pipe was a 300mm diameter asbestos-cement water supply main, which carries a higher risk of re-bursting and requires more comprehensive remediation
- Emergency repairs were completed and water supply restored by 6pm; the department will replace the entire 100-meter pipe section during nighttime off-peak hours to minimize disruption to residents
- Local businesses, including a two-dish rice shop that was unable to open, faced operational challenges due to the loss of water supply, though the department set up temporary water tanks and deployed a water supply emergency team to assist affected residents
Why It Matters
The incident highlights ongoing infrastructure vulnerabilities as aging asbestos-cement water pipes across Hong Kong remain prone to failures, causing significant disruption to both transportation and daily commerce . The decision to replace the entire 100-meter pipe section during off-peak nighttime hours reflects a shift toward comprehensive solutions rather than piecemeal repairs, though residents and businesses will continue to face temporary water supply interruptions during the construction phase .
The incident highlights ongoing infrastructure vulnerabilities as aging asbestos-cement water pipes across Hong Kong remain prone to failures, causing significant disruption to both transportation and daily commerce . The decision to replace the entire 100-meter pipe section during off-peak nighttime hours reflects a shift toward comprehensive solutions rather than piecemeal repairs, though residents and businesses will continue to face temporary water supply interruptions during the construction phase .