Environmental shortcomings exposed

Environmental protection facilities from a bygone era, water pollution and puny law enforcement in Baoshan, Jing’an and Xuhui districts are just a few of the environmental transgressions recently exposed.

Inspections between August 28 and September 19 precipitated a total of 987 complaints from residents of the three districts. More than 340 companies have been fined over 41.2 million yuan (US$6.1 million) and six enterprises shut down.

According to the watchdog’s report released yesterday, Xuhui district’s sewage and river pollution treatment is inadequate, waste is discharged illegally and some restaurants are barely fit to eat in.

Sewage treatment is also a problem in Baoshan District, as well as substandard management of hazardous and solid waste. Air pollution, especially dust pollution, abounds at construction sites.

The report also found that some government departments in Jing’an District lag behind in solving problems like water pollution and environmental law enforcement is weak.

The environment watchdog has ordered the three district authorities to produce plans within 30 working days to rectify matters.