The Chengmen River changes color again! A reader told Dongwang.com that around 12 noon yesterday (5) the Shing Mun River near Che Kung Temple in Tai Wai changed color. Although the river water is not potable, the sewage harms the ecology and can also cause hidden public health concerns. Hong Kong’s environmental problems have always been criticized: the Shing Mun River has repeatedly changed color and in the past even smelled bad, but the problem has never been completely solved.
The Department of Environmental Protection said that upon receiving the investigation, it immediately sent officers to the scene to investigate. The color of the water in the Shing Mun River near Tai Wai Station was greener than usual, but there is none. it was no sign that it was caused by pollution. There was no pungent smell or stench in the river water at the scene, and no dead fish were found on the river’s surface. After preliminary tests, the dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature of the river water were all normal. The department said it will continue to monitor and investigate stormwater discharges into relevant catchment areas. If the source of illegal discharges is found, corresponding enforcement actions will be taken.
Indeed, it is not uncommon for the Chengmen River to be tinged with blue. Looking at the information, in January last year, the Shing Mun River water suddenly turned cloudy to a blue-green, with white bubbles floating on the surface, like a “smoothie,” and there was a pungent odor like bleach and a few dead fish floated on the river. However, investigators have so far found no illegal discharges or suspected sources of pollution, and the source of the pollution cannot be confirmed. The EPD also said it would continue to follow.
