Update on EPD's investigation into alleged malpractice at Pillar Point Valley Restored Landfill
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During the course of the preliminary investigation, the EPD found that the leachate treatment plant at PPVRL was not functioning properly and could not treat leachate efficiently. The EPD immediately instructed the contractor to suspend the operation of the leachate treatment plant and to carry out thorough inspection of all plant facilities and repair works. During the remedial period, to ensure that the leachate arising from PPVRL would be properly handled and treated before discharge, EPD staff arranged for the less concentrated leachate to be tankered to Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Works of the Drainage Services Department while the more concentrated leachate has been tankered to West New Territories Landfill for treatment.
In addition to the request for thorough inspection of all plant facilities and repair works for the leachate treatment plant at PPVRL in order to fully restore its efficacy, the EPD has also demanded that the contractor strengthen the plant's inspection, maintenance, repair and water sampling mechanism, as well as develop a quality assurance system for the leachate treatment plant, so as to ensure its operation comply with the legal and contractual requirements in the long term.
As the landfill gas flaring temperature at PPVRL had not fully complied with the contractual requirement of 1,000 degrees Celsius, the EPD has arranged installation of a closed-circuit television system at the leachate treatment plant to enable staff to have real-time remote monitoring of the operating temperature. In addition, a data link is being arranged for connection of the data system of the treatment plant to the EPD office for direct capture of the operational data, so as to effectively ensure that the contractor is operating the landfill gas flaring temperature in compliance with the contractual requirement.
In order to strengthen the monitoring of the operation of PPVRL and other similar facilities, the EPD has thoroughly reviewed the monitoring system and promptly implemented improvement measures, including stepping up the frequency of irregular inspections; identifying new leachate sampling points; collecting untreated leachate samples at the treatment plant inlet for comparing the quality of treated leachate with that of untreated leachate with a view to checking the plant efficiency; and introducing an independent inspection mechanism for the leachate and landfill gas systems.
As regards the potential impact that the incident might cause to the environment, the EPD has reviewed the water quality data recorded in the vicinity of PPVRL. The results reveal that there has not been any abnormality in the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and unionised ammonical nitrogen. The ecological conditions of the nearby Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park have also remained normal. The EPD has also made reference to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's studies on dioxin emission during landfill gas combustion. These studies reveal that the chance of occurrence of dioxin is very slim. Furthermore, according to the EPD's air quality monitoring data, the data recorded in the Tuen Mun Air Monitoring Station indicate that the air quality in the vicinity is normal.
The EPD has commenced follow-up actions against the contractor regarding the confirmed acts in violation of the contract in the course of operating PPVRL. Up to mid-July, the EPD has already deducted a total amount in operation payment in excess of $220,000. Depending on the results of further investigation, the EPD will also follow up in strict accordance with the law and the contract. If necessary, the matter will be referred to appropriate enforcement authorities for follow-up.
Ends/Thursday, August 4, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:46
Issued at HKT 17:46
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