Bac Ninh imposes strict punishments on businesses causing pollution

Bac Ninh authorities have fined firms and household businesses that are causing pollution VND2.23bn (USD96,700) in the area.

Many businesses causing pollution in Bac Ninh

Bac Ninh People's Committee on April 29 issued the decision to fine six firms for violating environmental protection regulations. Viphaco Company which produces craft paper was fined VND695m (USD30,100). A household business of owner Nguyen Trong Du that specialises in making paper offerings was fined VND362.5m.

Nguyen Thi Hoan, an owner of a paper offerings business, was fined VND347.5m (USD15,000). Three household businesses of Nguyen Ba Chu, Nguyen Thi Hoa and Nguyen Trong Son were fined VND275m each.

All of the businesses lack environmental impact assessment reports and their wastewater discharged into the environment have indexes that exceeded the limited parameters. Besides the fines, the businesses were also suspended for nine months to fix the issues.

On April 27, during an inspection into the sources of the discharged wastewater into the irrigation constructions and Ngu Huyen Khe river system in Phong Khe Ward, of Bac Ninh People's Committee Deputy Chairman Vuong Quoc Tuan ordered to remove all violating wastewater treatment systems by April 30. The pipeline and pump that illegally took water from Phu Lam Reservoir must also be removed by May 7.

The police will seal up facilities that are suspended. Facilities that are suspended multiple times will have their entrances blocked. Facilities that are built illegally on agricultural land will be removed.

Tuan also agreed to set up a team and install cameras to monitor environmental violations along the local roads.