Electronics factory at Chiaphua Industries Building in Siu Lek Yuen in Sha Tin convicted for excessive industrial wastewater discharge
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Environmental Protection Department (EPD) staff conducted a blitz inspection at Compass Technology Company Limited last December to check its electronic component manufacturing factory and its wastewater treatment facility located at Chiaphua Industries Building. A wastewater sample was taken for analysis by the department's enforcement team and the result showed that the concentration of copper exceeded the WPCO licence by 4.3 times. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the company in accordance with the WPCO.
The EPD spokesman explained that electronic component manufacturing 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. If its heavy metals concentration exceeds the standards, it will affect the operation and effectiveness of microbial treatment processes in sewage treatment plants, which will pollute the environment.
The spokesman reminded all WPCO licensees that they should strictly adhere to the discharge standards of all pollutants as stipulated in the licence, and ensure proper operation of their wastewater treatment facilities. Anyone who discharges wastewater which exceeds the standard of the discharge licence commits an offence. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Ends/Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:05
Issued at HKT 17:05
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