Macao's Health Bureau has warned residents against drinking tap water over the salinity concern, according to an advisory statement issued by the bureau on Tuesday.

The statement urged the public to "adequately dilute" tap water with bottled water or to consume bottled water alone.

Macao Water, the local monopoly tap water supplier, announced Tuesday that the salinity level has hiked to 620 mg per liter, while the World Health Organization defines the standard level for drinking water at 250 mg per liter.

The Health Bureau statement warned that if residents drink tap water with excessively high salinity level for a lengthy period, they might face health complications as high blood pressure, kidney troubles or diarrhoea.

Macao, counting the water supply on Xijiang River which is originated in Guangdong province, has long been enduring the salinity crisis caused by the intake of the sea water during the winter season.

However, the salinity crisis this year is the worst in history.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)