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Sham Tseng bakery factory convicted for discharging sub-standard wastewater into communal sewer
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     A bakery factory at Sham Tseng in Tsuen Wan which discharged sub-standard wastewater into a communal sewer was fined $35,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 14) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).
 
     During an inspection at a bakery factory at Sham Tseng this June, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff found that the wastewater it discharged was turbid and was suspected of not being properly treated. The EPD staff took wastewater samples for analysis and the results showed that the biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and concentration of suspended solids exceeded the specified discharge limit of the WPCO licence by up to 3.5 times. After investigation and collection of evidence, the EPD subsequently initiated prosecution against the bakery factory in accordance with the WPCO.
 
     An EPD spokesman said that food production factories must install appropriate wastewater treatment facilities and maintain their effective operation to ensure that the effluent discharge meets the discharge standards as set out in the wastewater discharge licence before discharging into communal sewers, so as to prevent increasing the loading of the Government's sewage treatment plants downstream or adversely affecting their normal operation.
 
     Under the WPCO, it is an offence for anyone to discharge trade effluent which does not meet the licence requirements into the communal sewer. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.
 
Ends/Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:05
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