Polluted mud floods into the sea near LOHAS Park

The recent heavy rain has turned parts of the sea around LOHAS Park Tseung Kwan O into a lake of yellow mud. Many local District Councillors and other activists are concerned that the muddy water, mainly consisting of sand and other suspended particles and liquids, has been washed out from the landfills nearby or from some of the quarries in the vicinity.

Sai Kung District Council member Chris Cheung said that the polluted flooding of the sea  in Tseung Kwan O was extremely serious. The problem has been going on for at least 5 to 6 years, he said. Even if it is not heavy, sand pours into the sea almost every time it rains. Sometimes it is milky white and sometimes it is a mud yellow.

The situation was particularly bad after the heavy rainstorm yesterday morning (11 June). Cheung said “the Yellow Rainstorm Warning was an apt signal as the sea turned yellow!” Other Councillors said that they had also followed up on the issue just a week ago with the Environmental Protection Department, the Marine Department and the Drainage Services Department. However, there was little or no progress so far. The situation has not improved and has been made worse by the heavy rain again today.

Cheung said that he had written to the government department at the start of this month, but he has not heard of any remedial work so far. He is worried that if the muddy water comes from the Tseung Kwan O landfill, there is a chance of contamination with oil or heavy metal materials. The EPD should promptly investigate the matter. After completing the investigation, in addition to prosecution, the contractor should also be blacklisted.

The Oriental Daily newspaper tried contacting the EPD about the problem.  EPD replied that after receiving the complaints they immediately dispatched staff to the drainage outlets and the sites of the landfills and drainage pools which may be involved in the discharge. The investigation indicated that the muddy water was discharged from the Tseung Kwan O site; the water samples were still being tested and further research was needed.

The close proximity of the LOHAS Park development to the Tseung Kwan O landfill site has been a bone of contention for a number of years. Many efforts to expand the landfill site have been strongly objected to by residents. There have also been constant complaints of the smell and dust.