In response to press enquiries regarding illegal use of flushing water by seafood shops in Mong Kok, a government spokesman said today (September 19) that acting on complaints from residents, the Water Supplies Department carried out an operation against such illegal practices in Nelson Street, Mong Kok on August 28.
During the operation, the authorities checked on 24 shops, and found that three of them used the salt water for non-flushing purposes.
The WSD has started legal action against the three seafood shops according to the Waterworks Ordinance.
The complaints were referred to the WSD and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) by the District Office in early August.
"As the FEHD was also notified of the complaint by the District Office, there was no need for WSD to refer the case to the FEHD," the spokesman said.
Under Section 29(1)(c) of the Waterworks Ordinance, except with the permission of the Water Authority, no person shall take water through an inside service for any purpose other than that for which the water is supplied, namely, flushing in this case. A person found guilty of the offence will be liable to a fine of $5,000.
Acting under the ordinance, the WSD prosecuted eight cases in 2004, five in 2005, and four in the first eight months of this year.
The spokesman said that the FEHD had mounted two operations in August concerning suspected illegal use of flushing water by some premises selling live sea fish at Nelson Street, after receiving notification from the District Office concerning complaints filed by residents. Use of flushing water for keeping seafood was not detected.
FEHD staff have also inspected the concerned premises today and no irregularities were found. In addition, the department has taken samples of the fish tank water for examination,"the spokesman said.
The spokesman added that the examination results of water samples taken from the above locations in the past 12 months were all satisfactory. The FEHD will continue to inspect and take water samples from these premises at regular intervals.
Ends/Tuesday, September 19, 2006
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