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Operator of biodiesel plant convicted for illegal wastewater discharge
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     The operator of a biodiesel plant in Tseung Kwan O, who illegally discharged wastewater into the communal storm drainage system, was fined $12,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (April 20) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).
 
     During an inspection of the biodiesel plant in September 2016, staff of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) found that wastewater was discharged from the plant to a public storm drain. It was suspected that the wastewater from the plant might not have been properly collected for treatment and part of the wastewater was discharged through the storm drain. EPD staff took wastewater samples for analysis and the results showed that the concentration of Oil and Grease, Suspended Solids, 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand were 1 600 milligrams, 1 700mg, 700mg and 830mg per litre respectively, far exceeding the standards in the license issued under the WPCO. The levels of Oil and Grease and Suspended Solids had significantly exceeded the standards by 52 times and 33 times.

     Under the WPCO, it is an offence for a licensee to discharge wastewater which exceeds the standard of the discharge licence into the communal drainage system. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. To protect the environment, the spokesman reminded the trade that they should properly collect and treat wastewater before discharge.
 
Ends/Thursday, April 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:35
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