The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department says it has adopted a new enforcement approach to tackling the problem of dripping air conditioners at multiple locations across Hong Kong this year.

At a media briefing today, Assistant Director (Operations) of the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department Wan Chi-shun said the department has proactively conducted “door-to-door” inspections and taken enforcement action at about 300 locations.

Furthermore, 30 “dripping blackspots”, including bus stops, have been targeted for intensified patrols.

The department explained that it has adopted the “Dripping Air Conditioner Investigation System”. Equipped with infrared night-vision recording, the system helps identify the source of dripping in low-light conditions.

As dripping mostly occurs in the evening or early morning, the system has resolved previous difficulties in investigations, significantly shortened the time required for investigations and evidence collection, and enabled preliminary assessments to be made without entering premises.

The system has also enabled effective deployment of manpower for special operations in the evening or early morning. The previous allocation of 70% of manpower for daytime investigations and 30% for night-time investigations has been changed to 30% for daytime investigations and 70% for night-time investigations.

As of August 24, the department had handled approximately 5,200 cases of dripping air conditioners, marking a 25% increase over the same period last year and a threefold surge compared to the same period in 2023.

Among the 30 dripping blackspots – involving 14 districts, over 160 buildings, and approximately 7,000 air conditioners – the department has handled cases involving approximately 1,000 air conditioners.

The department urged property management companies to repair and maintain building drainage systems regularly, and to remind residents to check and repair their air conditioners. It said members of the public should check their air conditioners regularly and take immediate action if water drips.