EPD Investigates Suspected Leachate Leakage at WENT Landfill, Monitoring Environmental Impact

Suspected leakage of leachate from WENT Landfill

A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) made the following announcement today (July 8) regarding an incident of suspected leakage of leachate from landfill.

The Environmental Protection Department, Photo source: reference image

At around 2.30pm today, the EPD found that there was suspected leakage of leachate at one of the stormwater outfalls at the West New Territories (WENT) Landfill. The stormwater outfall connects to Tai Shui Hang next to the landfill. Based on current assessments, most of the leachate has been intercepted by a silt curtain regularly installed at the stormwater outfall, so the amount of leachate leaked to Tai Shui Hang has been limited.

The EPD has collected water samples at the location concerned for testing. Preliminary investigation revealed that the dissolved oxygen and the pH levels in the water samples are normal, with no signs that there is a significant impact on the water quality and ecology in Tai Shui Hang and the Deep Bay. The EPD will conduct more testing and follow up on the matter.

The contractor of the EPD's WENT Landfill has taken a series of follow-up measures, including:

• Arranging tankers to remove leachate from the stormwater outfall and Tai Shui Hang;

• Arranging a diversion upstream of the stormwater outfall to intercept the water source from entering the outfall; and

• Arranging additional measures, including placing sandbags and adding extra silt curtains, to further intercept the suspected leakage of leachate.

The EPD will continue to closely monitor the situation and strive to remove the leachate to prevent continuous leakage to Tai Shui Hang. The EPD will also work with the landfill contractor to investigate the cause of the incident so as to take further measures to tackle the problem at source.

The West New Territories (WENT) Landfill, Photo source: EPD

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 54-year-old local female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on June 6 and seized 260 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from her. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $1,200, and the duty potential was about $860. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases