Branch of Hong Kong School of Motoring in Yuen Long convicted of discharging substandard wastewater
******************************************************************************************
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public in April this year about the Hong Kong School of Motoring's branch in Yuen Long discharging oil, polluting the environment. After an inspection, EPD officers discovered that the branch was discharging wastewater into the nearby Shan Pui River, adversely affecting the river's water quality. After collecting evidence, EPD officers initiated a prosecution against the company operating the branch, HKSM Yuen Long Driving School Limited, under the WPCO.
The EPD is very concerned about the repeated cases of illegal discharge of wastewater from the Hong Kong School of Motoring and will continue liaising with the company's management on a solution to improve the wastewater treatment facilities of their branch in Yuen Long. The EPD will consider initiating prosecutions against the company directors concerned if the company’s branch in Yuen Long is found illegally discharging wastewater again in future.
Under the WPCO, anyone illegally discharging wastewater into Hong Kong water bodies commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $400,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Ends/Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:01
Issued at HKT 20:01
NNNN