VNBusinessNews – The HCMC Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority, or Hepza, is considering asking the infrastructure developer of Le Minh Xuan Industrial Park in HCMC’s Binh Chanh District to stop receiving industrial wastewater from 27 companies operating in the park due to ever increasing river pollution.

Ngo Anh Tuan, Hepza vice chairman, said that more inspections of these 27 violators will be made before the authority co-ordinates with Le Minh Xuan Industrial Park Development Company on punitive measures.

Hepza recently found many companies in this industrial park with fake wastewater treatment systems or with pipes leading wastewater to the common wastewater facility.

“Besides applying stronger measures on polluters in Le Minh Xuan Industrial Park, Hepza is asking 160 companies operating here to submit their wastewater facility blueprints to Hepza,” Tuan said.

The deadline for submitting blueprints is March 31 after which Hepza will collate the drawings and the actual facilities.

Nguyen Thi Du, head inspector of the city’s environment department, said that the department is deciding on appropriate fines for the 27 companies who have been discharging untreated wastewater and industrial smoke with ill effects on local health.

“We have prepared 15 decisions and the remaining decisions will be completed and promulgated within two weeks,” Du said.

The highest possible fine will be levied on the most serious violators in accordance with the law. (SGT)