An official with the Lhasa water company said on Saturday that rumors on drinking water being poisoned amid the Lhasa turmoil are not true.

Soi'nam Gyaibo, director of the system management institute of the Lhasa Water Company, said the rumors began spreading on Friday that drinking water in the city were poisened, but tests performed by the watch company and experts with the regional disease control and prevention center show the tap water is safe.

He said company staff are on duty around the clock to protect the water source and water pumps from sabotage, and armed police had been sent in for support.

Lhasa reverted to calm at the wee hours on Saturday, after a violent day that saw shops robbed, mosque set on fire and many casualties reported Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)