A Large number of people have been queuing to collect spring water flowing out of a pipe in the Chigeng Mountain in the Donghu Park in Luohu District.

Locals say the spring water is sweet and contains all necessary minerals, according to media reports.

However, health officials warned that the spring water may not be safe for consumption.

The Shenzhen Economic Daily said sometimes the queue can be seen even at midnight. A man in his mid-50s who gave only his surname Yang said that it took about five minutes to fill a 20-liter bucket in the rainy season, while in the dry season it took as long as 45 minutes.

Yang, who lives close to the park, said he has been collecting water from the park for the past three years. He said a growing number of people who don’t live in the area are coming to collect the water.

A Xiling resident surnamed Jiang said he drives to the park for water daily. He said he believes it is better than the tap water at home.

Li Xianping, general manager of Yuegang Water Supply Company which supplies water to Hong Kong, said his company in 1993 installed some iron pipes in the mountain to drain the water to prevent mudslides. Since then some residents have been collecting water from these pipes.

Experts with bottled water manufacturers said the processing of spring water in factories has several procedures, including one that tests if the water contains excessive heavy metals. The consumption of water with excessive heavy metals will damage organs in the long run, the Daily quoted health officials as saying. Unprocessed spring water may also carry bacteria like colon bacillus and salmonella.

(Shenzhen Daily September 8, 2006)