Some bottled water brands in Hong Kong are taking advantage of a growing government procurement scandal to promote their products.
Watsons Water posted on social media on Wednesday that its products were “safety and quality assured”, highlighting its strictly controlled production processes, which included multiple filtration and high-temperature distillation. The post received almost 380 reactions.
Another local drinking water manufacturer, Swire Coca-Cola, posted on Facebook on Tuesday night that its Bonaqua bottled water was locally produced and “a trustworthy option”.
The post, which received around 150 likes and laughing emoji reactions – significantly more than the account’s usual engagement – added that all products complied with international safety standards, thereby “safeguarding customers’ health”.
The posts attracted high engagement amid a growing controversy surrounding the drinking water supplier for Hong Kong’s civil service.
Xin Ding Xin Trade, the company that won the HK$52.9 million (US$6.8 million) government procurement contract to supply drinking water to offices on Hong Kong Island and some outlying islands, was found to have used fraudulent documents and provided products with false trade descriptions.
The scandal came to light last Saturday when the Government Logistics Department revealed that it had “partially terminated” the three-year contract with the company. The company’s two owners were also arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Police said that they had discovered the water supplied to the government offices was produced by a third-party water plant in Dongguan, which was commissioned by the company in question, rather than the one specified in the contract.
Three manufacturers were listed on the product labels in question – Robust (Guangdong), Dongguan Guanyinshan Drinking Water Co Ltd and Yangtaishan Beverage Co Ltd.
At Pinduoduo, a major cross-border e-commerce firm, an 8-litre bottle of Guanyinshan water costs 16.8 yuan (US$2.33), with additional discounts available for multiple purchases.
At Swire Coca-Cola’s e-shop, an 11.3-litre water bottle costs HK$53, while an 18.9-litre one is priced at HK$83.
On Watsons Water’s official website, a 12-litre bottle is available for HK$51, while an 18-litre bottle costs HK$81.
By comparison, Guanyinshan is the cheapest at HK$2.30 per litre. Watsons Water costs between HK$4.20 and HK$4.50 per litre and Bonaqua ranges from HK$4.40 to HK$4.70. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
