EMSD announces latest sampling results for legionella at fresh water cooling towers
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (August 7) announced that the department tested 115 water samples collected from cooling towers in 75 buildings during its routine inspections in July 2024. Seven samples were detected to have a total legionella count at or above the upper threshold, which is 1000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The latest statistics are set out in Annex 1.
The cooling towers in which the seven samples were collected are located at 62 Fuk Hi Street, Yuen Long; Section A of Lot 407 in DD 130 and adjoining government land, Tuen Mun; Star House, Salisbury Road, Yau Tsim Mong; Wah Hing Industrial Mansions, 36 Tai Yau Street, Wong Tai Sin; 66 Fuk Wing Street, Sham Shui Po; and 308 Castle Peak Road, Sham Shui Po. The EMSD has issued nuisance notices under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to the owners of the cooling towers requiring appropriate disinfection work to be done. Disinfection of the cooling towers in these cases has already been completed by the owners. Details of the case can be found in Annex 2.
The EMSD publishes the latest statistics of the above information on a half-monthly basis on its website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/other_regulatory_services/cooling_towers/water_sampling/index.html).
The EMSD reminds the owners of fresh water cooling towers that they have the responsibility to design, operate and maintain cooling towers properly. They should arrange regular inspections, timely maintenance and periodic testing of the water quality in their cooling towers in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fresh Water Cooling Towers issued by the department to prevent the proliferation of legionella.
Source: AI-generated images
Hong Kong Customs seizes smuggled goods worth about $40 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels on October 2. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $40 million was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategies were thus formulated, with one suspicious container scheduled to be shipped from Hong Kong to Thailand, and one suspicious container prepared to be shipped to Cambodia, via ocean-going vessels selected for inspection.
Customs inspected the two containers, declared as carrying clothing and kitchenware respectively, on October 2. Upon examinations, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including audio equipment, watches, cameras and other electronic products that were mix-loaded with the clothes and kitchenware in the containers.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling offences. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs seizes smuggled goods worth about $40 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
