The department inspected those units and imposed fines totalling more than VNĐ9 billion (US$391,000).

The department has regularly supervised waste dumping of local companies through an automated environment monitoring system and conducted unscheduled inspections.

Among 87 violating units in the first half of this year, 36 facilities were discovered to have committed violations during unscheduled inspections. Another 51 units were found to have committed violations after local authorities received complaints.

Most of the violators were discharging an amount of waste exceeding the permitted level, unsafe toxic waste treatment, and releasing waste into water sources.

Companies also operated waste treatment works without obtaining approval from authorities.

Ngô Công Lý, deputy chief inspector of the provincial environment department, said the inspections and strict penalties imposed on violators contribute to preventing further violations and improving legal enforcement.

The department will continue to conduct inspections following instructions of the provincial People’s Committee and on those who show signs of violations, he said. — VNS