The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (July 31) that it is undertaking enforcement action against a suspected case of illegal discharge of livestock waste from a pig farm in Kam Tin, Yuen Long.

     The EPD has been paying close attention to the illegal discharge of livestock waste in the Kam Tin River area in Yuen Long, undertaking continuous surveillance using smart technology and conducting ambush operations. During a surprise inspection on July 24, EPD staff spotted that brownish wastewater carrying odour of pig manure was being discharged directly into a nearby watercourse via a pipe from a pig farm in Tai Kong Po, Kam Tin. The pig farm was suspected of discharging improperly treated livestock waste. The EPD is collecting evidence and will instigate prosecution against the farm operator concerned in accordance with the law if there is sufficient evidence. The EPD has also notified the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the suspected offence for parallel follow-up action.

     An EPD spokesman said that livestock waste without proper treatment contains a high concentration of pollutants. Its discharge into rivers not only causes serious water pollution, but also odour nuisance. According to the Waste Disposal (Livestock Waste) Regulations, liquid livestock waste generated by livestock farms must be properly treated to meet the statutory requirements before discharge. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and a fine of $5,000 for each day on which the offence continues.

     The spokesman reminded operators and staff of livestock farms to strictly comply with the law, properly operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities for livestock waste, and must not, for the sake of convenience, discharge untreated livestock waste into nearby rivers or water bodies so as to avoid prosecution.

     The EPD spokesman reiterated that the department will continue to combat any illegal wastewater discharge activity to safeguard environmental health.

Ends/Friday, July 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:40

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