A cement plant of China Concrete Company Limited located in Sha Ling did not properly cover the materials for making concrete, resulting in the dispersion of a large amount of fine dust which caused air pollution. The company was convicted and fined $8,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 4) for contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO).

     Environmental Protection Department (EPD) officers conducted an inspection this March at the cement plant concerned. It was suspected that the plant illegally stacked up a pile of aggregates and sand at the open space inside the plant, which violated the requirements stipulated in the specified process Licence. The licence stated that aggregates should be properly stored and provided with appropriate cover. The pile of materials, covering an area of about 13 metres by 3m, generated a large amount of fine dust and caused air pollution in the surrounding environment. After investigation and evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecutions against the cement plant in accordance with the APCO.

     Cement handling plants are classified as specified processes under the APCO. They are required to obtain a licence from the EPD and should comply with relevant dust control requirements. Aggregates should be stored in the structure, with the top sheltered and its three sides enclosed with rigid walls, and its entrance should be covered with a dust curtain and have water spraying installed, so as to prevent the fine dust from dispersing by wind. If licence holders fail to observe licence conditions, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. Upon second or subsequent conviction, a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed.

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements to facilitate a public event to be held on Hong Kong Island this Thursday (September 6).

     The following roads will be intermittently closed from 9.30am until the crowd has dispersed and traffic resumes normal:

– Queen’s Road West;
– Whitty Street;
– Chiu Kwong Street;
– Des Voeux Road West;
– Praya Kennedy Town;

– Hill Road; and
– Po Tuck Street.

     Vehicles may not be permitted to access or leave car parks along the route during the road closure period.

     Actual implementation of the traffic arrangements will be made depending on traffic and crowd conditions in the area. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

     A cleaning contractor and one of its staff members illegally deposited some 20 bags of rubbish at Tat Fuk Road in Tuen Mun this February. They were fined a total of $10,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 4) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO).

     In February, a member of the public witnessed someone unloading about 20 bags of rubbish with bad odour from a garbage truck at Tat Fuk Road in Tuen Mun, seriously affecting environmental hygiene. The member of the public reported the case to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and provided photos taken during the incident to assist the EPD's investigation. With the licence plate information, the EPD was able to trace the cleaning contractor and the staff member involved. The department subsequently prosecuted them in accordance with the WDO after collecting sufficient evidence.

     It is unlawful to dispose of waste in public places or on the roadside. The EPD spokesman reminded cleaning companies and their staff that they should dispose of waste properly in accordance with the law. Under the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment for depositing waste in a public place.

     The spokesman encouraged members of the public to make a report to the department if they witness any illegal disposal of waste from vehicles. They can record videos or take photos and call the EPD hotline at 2838 3111 to help combat illegal dumping.

     Police today (September 4) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tsuen Wan.
         
     Ng Mo-ching, aged 81, went missing after she was last seen at Shing Mun Country Park on September 2 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (September 3).
         
     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short straight white hair. She was last seen wearing a red short-sleeved shirt, apricot trousers, brown shoes and carrying a black rucksack.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     Ching Yuen Bean Products (HK) Company Limited, located at Chuen Yiu Road in Pat Heung Sheung Tsuen in Yuen Long, illegally discharged untreated industrial wastewater into a nearby river. The company was fined $58,000 by Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 4) for contravening the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint early this year that wastewater was being discharged to the Kam Tin River, causing environmental pollution. The EPD then launched an investigation and targeted the bean products factory concerned. Officers were deployed to monitor the factory in its vicinity at midnight. It was found that turbid and foul-smelling whitish industrial wastewater was discharged from the factory, seriously polluting nearby waters. The EPD conducted a blitz operation at the factory and noted that its wastewater treatment facilities were not operating properly and industrial wastewater was directly discharged into the river. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against Ching Yuen Bean Products (HK) Company Limited in accordance with the WPCO.

     The EPD spokesman said that anyone who directly discharges untreated industrial wastewater will pollute nearby waterways and adversely affect public hygiene. The spokesman reminded members of the trade that they should install qualified wastewater treatment facilities and ensure their proper operation to treat wastewater before its discharge to avoid causing environmental pollution.

     Under the WPCO, anyone who discharges wastewater into a river commits an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $400,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions.