EPD - Pollution Problems & Practical Solutions

Water
Activities
Mis-connection/Expedient Connection & Broken Sewerage
Problem
Wastewater illegally discharged via stormwater drain or stormwater surface channel
Relevant Env. Control Under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 358, discharge of polluted waters into stormwater drains is not permitted, discharging wastewater from all types of industrial, manufacturing, commercial, institutional and construction activities into sewers or elsewhere should comply with the terms and conditions of a licence issued by the EPD.
Practical Solutions
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Conduct regular maintenance check on the condition and routing of the drainage system and repair any drainage defects immediately
Do not pollute or discharge sewage into stormwater system.
Do not pollute or discharge sewage into stormwater system.
dot.gif Keep an updated drainage plan in management office
dot.gif Check the drainage plan before carrying out of drainage works to ensure correct drainage route
dot.gif Conduct dye-tracing tests for unclear sewer routing to avoid misconnection
dot.gif Ensure the use of manhole cover with correct identification of the drain types
dot.gif Use color code to help identify and distinguish stormwater drainage system (e.g. manhole, exposed pipes and channel) from foul water system
 
   
Activities
Operation of Grease Trap
Problem
Blockage of foul drain and overflow of grease trap
Relevant Env. Control Under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 358, discharge of polluted waters into stormwater drains is not permitted, discharging wastewater from all types of industrial, manufacturing, commercial, institutional and construction activities into sewers or elsewhere should comply with the terms and conditions of a licence issued by the EPD.
Practical Solutions
dot.gif Apply license from the EPD before discharging effluent from the grease trap
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Install above ground grease trap at an easily accessible location to facilitate ease of cleaning and maintenance
Grease trap is installed in an open and aboveground location for easy access, fault detection, clean-up and maintenance.
Grease trap is installed in an open and aboveground location for easy access, fault detection, clean-up and maintenance.
dot.gif Provide communal grease trap as far as possible for better efficiency and economy
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Use well-developed grease trap with provision for the daily removal of screened solids and trapped grease
dot.gif Maintain and operate the grease trap to meet the effluent discharge license conditions, such as conducting self-monitoring checks and providing self-monitoring reports
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Install screening device at the grease trap inlet and remove the screened solids daily
Screening device is installed in the inlet pipe of the grease trap and the trapped solid waste is collected and disposed as general refuse daily.
Screening device is installed in the inlet pipe of the grease trap and the trapped solid waste is collected and disposed as general refuse daily.
dot.gif Remove the accumulated bottom sludge regularly
dot.gif Property management companies (PMCs) managing communal grease traps in shopping malls, commercial and industrial buildings shall register with EPD as collectors managing communal grease trap facility(ies) under the "Waste Cooking Oils" (WCO) Recycling Administrative Registration Scheme. For details of the above Scheme, please click here
dot.gif Engage grease trap waste collectors registered by EPD for regular overhauling of grease trap facilities and removal of grease trap waste from the facility for proper treatment
dot.gif Properly archive cleaning records and keep the cleaning records for the past 12 months for inspection by EPD
 
   
Activities
Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plant
Problem
Discharge exceed the WPCO license limit
Relevant Env. Control Under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 358 , discharge of polluted waters into stormwater drains is not permitted, discharging wastewater from all types of industrial, manufacturing, commercial, institutional and construction activities into sewers or elsewhere should comply with the terms and conditions of a licence issued by the EPD.
Practical Solutions
dot.gif Discharge wastewater into public sewers leading to government treatment plants as far as possible
dot.gif Apply and comply with the license conditions from the EPD for privately built sewage treatment plant
dot.gif Conduct regular self-monitoring checks to ensure the quality of the effluent discharged meet the prescribed standard
dot.gif Develop audit system, such as employing independent checker, to monitor the performance of maintenance contractor/operator of the sewage treatment plant
dot.gif Maintain an updated operation and maintenance manual as well as formulate emergency plan
dot.gif Conduct regular maintenance
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Maintain the general cleanliness of the sewage treatment plant and ensure every part of the plant is readily accessible for maintenance and repair at all time