The mysterious oil stain in the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin is suspected to be related to illegal discharge. A reader reflected to the East Network, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum around the Shing Mun River, the water surface of the cream-colored oil, a number of “belly” dead fish in the water and the shore floating. The Environmental Protection Department said it had sent staff to the scene to investigate and had taken samples of the river water for testing, but had not found the source of pollution for the time being; the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said that workers had cleaned up the river this morning, clearing a total of about 180 kilograms of garbage. EastNet is also making enquiries with the Drainage Services Department.
From the photos provided by the reader can be seen, today at noon, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum around the surface of the Shing Mun River, is full of cream-colored oil, although the oil is not dense, but there are a number of dead fish nearby, near the shore location and piled up a group of dead fish, a shocking scene. The reader said that the water quality of Shing Mun River today is obviously more turbid than before, the dead fish on the river also attracted egrets foraging.
Shatin District Councilor Lee Chi-wang said that the Shing Mun River has occasionally been in a similar situation in the past, but has not been able to find the source of the oil pollution. He said he was worried that the oil would affect the ecology, and because he did not know the composition of the oil, he was worried that it might contain substances harmful to human health, affecting residents.
Lee also mentioned that the Sha Tin District Council has always been concerned about the environmental hygiene problems of Shing Mun River and reflected to different government departments, but even though the departments said they would follow up and understand the situation, there has been no improvement, he urged the authorities to find the source of the oil pollution as soon as possible and prosecute to improve the situation.
FEHD replied that the Department’s cleansing service contractor workers were cleaning up floating garbage at Shing Mun River this morning, removing a total of about 180 kilograms of garbage, including fish carcasses, and said it would continue to monitor the situation at the above location and take appropriate action to maintain environmental hygiene. The department also said it had received complaints about floating fish carcasses and oil stains in the Shing Mun River in May this year.
The EPD said it had sent staff to the site to investigate the incident and preliminary tests showed that the pH of the river water was normal and water samples were taken immediately for detailed testing. No illegal discharge or suspicious pollution sources have been found along the river, the department said it has informed the FEHD to arrange cleanup of the dead fish, and will arrange staff to inspect the river again as necessary, and will take corresponding enforcement action if illegal discharge sources are found.
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