Leak Blamed for Beijing Water Shutoff

(Beijing) – More than 10,000 people in northern Beijing went two days without tap water and an unknown number were sickened after the public water system was contaminated, according to a statement released by Beijing Waterworks Group late May 25.

The state-owned water company said it was first alerted to the contamination, which was traced to a leak in pipelines sending treated waste water to homes and offices for flushing the toilets and watering plants , late May 23. Huilongguan-area residents called to report falling ill after washing with tap water.