************************************************************
In response to media reports on the alleged malpractices at the Pillar Point Valley Restored Landfill in Tuen Mun, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) yesterday (April 15) said that the Department attaches great importance to the reports and will conduct a thorough investigation on the case.
According to the contract of the restoration works of the Pillar Point Valley Landfill, the contractor should maintain a temperature of 1 000 degree Celsius for the flaring of landfill gas. As the contractor has admitted that the minimum temperature requirement (i.e.1 000 degree Celsius) as set out in the contract has not been met for a short period of time, the EPD is now proceeding to deduct payment for the non-compliance in accordance with the provision of the contract. The EPD has already required the contractor to arrange a detailed assessment by a specialist consultant on the impact of the low flaring temperature on the elimination of pollutants in landfill gas. In addition, the EPD will also arrange an independent expert to carry out an analysis of the matter.
The leachate treatment plant operating at a temperature below 100 degree Celsius is already able to remove ammonium (NH4+), and the total nitrogen in leachate can be reduced to a level which can meet the statutory discharge standard for waste water. A slight drop in the flaring temperature will therefore have no impact on the performance of the leachate treatment plant.
The leachate, after going through the treatment plant of the Pillar Point Valley Restored Landfill, will meet the requirement of the Water Pollution Control Ordinance in respect of total nitrogen removal before discharge. The leachate will then be discharged via public sewer to the sewage treatment works operated by the Drainage Services Department. It will be treated and disinfected there together with domestic sewage collected within the area, and then discharged to the sea via a submarine outfall.
Having examined the monitoring data collected by the marine monitoring stations near the landfill area from 2014 to the first two months of this year, the EPD found that there was no abnormality in the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and unionised ammonia nitrogen, and the nearby coastal water and the ecological condition have all along been normal.
After receiving the relevant complaint in January this year, the enforcement staff of the Regional Office and on-site EPD staff at the landfill had conducted a number of inspections to the storm drains near the leachate treatment plant and the nearby stream. Effluent from the leachate treatment plant had not been found discharging directly into the stream. Sampling results were found to have met the discharge standards.
The Director of Environmental Protection has already directed the investigation team to conduct a thorough investigation on the case and submit a preliminary report within two months. In the case of any illegal act or breach of contract, the department will strictly take enforcement action and hold the contractor concerned accountable according to the contract.
The EPD will contact the relevant media and stakeholders concerned to assist in the investigation. Anyone who is able to provide more information on the case is welcome to contact the EPD.
Ends/Saturday, April 16, 2016
Issued at HKT 01:07
NNNN