Several businesses are still violating environment protection laws by continuing to discharge untreated wastewater into the environment, said experts at a seminar on wastewater treatment in industrial zones, in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.
According to the Environment Crime Prevention Police under the Ministry of Public Security, 275 businesses and production units in industrial zones (IZs) and export processing zones (EPZs) have been repeatedly violating the environment protection law since 2010.
Inspectors have penalized 228 organizations and individuals with a total fine of VND12 billion (US$571,000).
These businesses have not followed their pledge under the environment impact report which was approved by relevant authorities, and are releasing wastewater which is untreated or improperly treated.
Some businesses have even built underground drains by which untreated wastewater flows into rivers and canals. Of the main polluters are Nhi Xuan IZ and Pham Thu, Tuong Trung and Tan Nhat Dung Companies.
Hoang Van Vy, deputy chief inspector from the Vietnam Environment Administration, said that IZs and EPZs only run after profits and not pay attention to environmental quality.
Besides, the power of management boards at IZs has not been specifically regulated, leading to haphazard management in environment protection, he said.
Dao Anh Kiet, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the department will coordinate with the HCMC Export Processing and Industrial Zone Authority and HCMC Police to inspect and monitor wastewater treatment of businesses in IZs and EPZs.
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