The Hieu Hung Food Processing Company was fined VND840 million for discharging wastewater that exceeded the allowed level into the Red River, causing serious pollution at a section of the river in Van Ban District.
According to a report by the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, Hieu Hung, which processed cassava powder, was allowed to discharge a maximum of 18.75 cubic metres of wastewater per hour. However, local authorities checked the company on December 15, 2023, and discovered they were discharging 655.40 cubic metres per hour.
"We've decided to issue a fine of VND840 million against the company for their violations," the committee said. "Hieu Hung has also been asked to solve the problem and send a report to us within 30 days."
Earlier people living around the company's plant in Tan An Commune, Van Ban District complained about the serious environmental pollution in the Red River.
According to residents, the river water had turned black with a bad odour over recent years.
The Tan An Cassava Processing Plant has been operating since 2005 on a total area of 18 hectares. The VND242-billion plant produces 250 tonnes of cassava powder daily.