Concrete batching plant in Yau Tong convicted again of breaching licence condition

     A concrete batching plant belonging to China Concrete Company Limited on Tung Yuen Street in Yau Tong was convicted and fined $12,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (May 21) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) as a result of not operating in accordance with a licence condition again.

     Officers of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted a blitz inspection of the concrete batching plant in September last year and found that there was a large amount of wastewater with sediment outside the plant, adversely affecting the surrounding environment. After a detailed investigation and the collection of evidence at the scene, the officers confirmed that the wastewater was discharged from the vehicle cleaning facility inside the concrete batching plant, breaching the relevant condition of a specified process licence. The EPD then initiated a prosecution against China Concrete Company Limited.

     According to the conditions of licences issued under the APCO, concrete batching plants must step up their efforts to clean concrete mixers to prevent dust from spreading. In addition, they must ensure that there is no wastewater with sediment generated from vehicle cleaning facilities discharged from their plants. A spokesperson for the EPD reminded the concrete manufacturing sector that they must strictly adhere to the conditions of their licences, and properly manage as well as adopt their concrete manufacturing procedures. They must also adopt the best practicable mitigation measures to avoid polluting the environment and adversely affecting nearby residents.

     First-time offenders breaching the conditions of licences issued under the APCO may be liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on a second or a subsequent conviction.