NGHỆ AN — Lê Hồng Vinh, Vice Chairman of Nghệ An Provincial People's Committee, issued a decision on Monday to fine Nghệ An Urban Construction and Environment Joint Stock Company VNĐ594 million (US$25,600) for pollution.

Nghi Yên solid waste treatment complex is owned by Nghệ An Urban Construction and Environment Joint Stock Company. Photo news.zing.vn

The company violated regulations, discharging waste water exceeding the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD – the amount of dissolved oxygen needed) technical standard by 21 times and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD – the total measurement of all chemicals in the water that can be oxidised) standard 16 times.

The company must handle environmental pollution and meet national technical standards on waste water for solid-waste burial sites before discharging waste.

The company must report back on the results of its efforts to deal with pollution in the next six months.

Previously, people living near Nghi Yên solid waste treatment complex in Nghi Yên Commune, Nghi Lộc District informed local authorities the complex was seriously polluting the surrounding area and negatively affecting the lives of local people.

Nghi Yên solid waste treatment complex project belongs to Nghệ An Urban Construction and Environment Joint Stock Company. The complex collects and treats waste for the city of Vinh and neighbouring districts of Nghệ An Province.

The complex was put into operation in December, 2012.

Wastewater leaking from the complex and flowing into residential areas led to fouls smalls and seriously polluted living environments, forcing many households to move to other places. — VNS