27-11-2023 (BEIJING) A couple residing in Beijing started experiencing various health problems after residing in their apartment for six months.
The man, identified by the surname Tan, and his girlfriend grew suspicious about their rental unit when they realized that despite not paying the water bill for half a year, the water supply remained uninterrupted.
According to Jiupai News, the couple moved into the apartment in May, paying a monthly rent of 10,000 yuan (approximately S$1,900).
In November, Tan decided to inspect the water meter and noticed that the tap water meter did not register any movement when the faucet was turned on. Instead, the numbers on the grey water meter increased.
Grey water refers to treated household wastewater that can be reused for purposes such as toilet flushing, car washing, or watering plants. However, it is unfit for drinking, washing vegetables, fruits, or any food items intended for consumption. It should also not come into contact with the human body as it may cause adverse reactions.
Upon investigation by maintenance staff on November 22, an additional pipe connecting the toilet water pipe to the tap water pipe was discovered in Tan’s apartment, as reported by Chinese media. Consequently, tap water in their unit was being mixed with “grey water” from the toilet pipe.
The couple were shocked to learn that they had been using contaminated “grey water” every day for washing vegetables, showering, and even drinking.
Moreover, the tenants experienced health issues including hair loss, acne, coughing, and chest tightness.
Following the discovery, the couple confronted the rental company, Ziroom, for failing to conduct a proper inspection of the property before leasing it out.
In a video recording of the confrontation, Tan’s girlfriend expressed her frustration, saying, “When we rented the apartment, you never informed us that we were using ‘grey water.’ If I hadn’t fallen ill, I wouldn’t have noticed the problem.”
Ziroom responded to the complaint by stating that the affected pipes had been repaired but emphasized that the issue was due to the decision made by the homeowners.
As of now, the tenants and Ziroom have not reached an agreement regarding compensation for the matter, according to Jiupai News.
