VietNamNet Bridge – The People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province has imposed a fine of VND3 billion (US$133,000) on Khanh Hoa Sugar Company Ltd. for violating environmental laws and contaminating lagoon water.

The sugar factory’s untreated wastewater has contaminated Thuy Trieu Lagoon. – Photo: VNA/VNS

Late on the night of March 12 and during the early hours of March 13, the comapny’s factory reportedly released untreated wastewater into Thuy Trieu Lagoon, in Cam Lam District’s Cam Thanh Bac Commune. The incident killed fish and shrimps being raised by around 30 households and causing losses to the tune of VND8.8 billion ($391,000).

Tests conducted on the water sample revealed that at the time of the incident, the company was releasing 480cu.m of wastewater per day and that multiple environmental parameters had been exceeded, some as much as by 10 times.

Investigations showed that the factory’s heating system was malfunctioning and was burning sugar at a concentrated level. As a result, its wastewater treatment system got overloaded and failed to treat the wastewater properly. The factory was asked to halt operations immediately after the incident.

Households that have suffered losses have submitted petitions to local authorities for compensation.

The firm has been ordered to resolve the problems caused by the water contamination and submit a report on its results to the committee within 30 days of the decision. 

VNS