The Hong Kong School of Motoring's branch in Yuen Long discharged substandard wastewater into Shan Pui River. The company was convicted and fined $12,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 12) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO). The company’s branch in Sha Tin was convicted and fined a total of $36,000 for offences of the same kind in February last year and February as well as September this year.
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.
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