Reference Materials

Reference Guide for Environmental Property Management

2.2	Sewage Treatment Plant / Grease Trap
a.	Discharge from sewage treatment plants Discharge from sewage treatment plants (STPs) is controlled under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.     Should apply for licence from Environmental Protection Department before discharging effluent from sewage treatment plant.     Good practices for operating and maintaining sewage treatment plant include : √ develop an effective audit system to monitor the performance of maintenance contractor/operator of the STP, for example, employ an independent contractor to check the effluent standard.     √ maintain an updated operation & maintenance manual by which mitigation measures could be carried out quickly during emergency     √ develop good housekeeping practices such as regular hosing down and sweeping the walkways, maintaining adequate lighting and ventilation, etc.     Penalty for discharge of effluent containing polluting matter - Maximum fine HK$ 200,000 and imprisonment for 6 months for first offence.     Penalty for failure to comply with provision of licence - Maximum fine HK$ 200,000 and imprisonment for 6 months.
b.	Discharge from grease traps Discharge from communal underground grease traps at commercial shopping centres is controlled under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance.     The property management company who is responsible for the maintenance of the communal grease trap should apply for a discharge licence from the Environmental Protection Department.     Good practices for maintaining the grease trap include: √ employ registered grease trap waste collector to clean the grease trap regularly     √ retain the cleaning records in the past 6 months for the inspection of Environmental Protection Department     Penalty for discharge of effluent containing polluting matter - Maximum fine HK$ 200,000 and imprisonment for 6 months for first offence.     Penalty for failure to comply with licence conditions - Maximum fine HK$ 200,000 and imprisonment for 6 months.
c.	Odour from sewage treatment plants and grease traps STPs and grease traps for restaurants often emit unpleasant odour which result in odour nuisance to nearby residents.     To avoid causing odour nuisance, √ these facilities should not be located in the vicinity of lift lobbies or any fresh air intake of the air conditioning system     √ schedule for cleaning STPs and grease traps should be drawn up such that the chance of creating an odour nuisance to people in the vicinity is reduced to the minimum