UAE | General
Illegal disposal of effluents lands company in hot water
Legal action has been initiated, by the authorities, against a company based in the capital, for improper disposal of wastewater near Al Taweela area.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 17:42 February 19, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Legal action has been initiated, by the authorities, against a company based in the capital, for improper disposal of wastewater near Al Taweela area.
The company was discharging effluents in the area illegally, contaminating the soil, a spokesperson of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) told Gulf News.
"Wastewater from the storage tanks of the company's trucks was directly emptied into the soil. These illegal actions have negative impacts, not only on the environment and the groundwater but also on public health and safety," read a statement issued by the agency.
49 cases of violation of the law of the Federal Law No 24 of 1999, governing the Protection and Development of the Environment, were recorded in 2007 by the EAD. Among these cases, 14 cases were emergency situations.
"When we received information about this malpractice we deployed our officials to confirm it. Once it was confirmed, a report was prepared about the issue and sent to the authorities for legal action against the company," said an official. The harmful alteration of the natural environment may lead to the spread of diseases and may have negative health impacts on the inhabited areas nearby.
The EAD's Emergency Unit intervened in the issue following complaint from a member of the public.
The Emergency Unit was launched in 2007 in order to manage and respond to such complaints and emergencies round the clock. Also an agreement was signed with the Emergency and Public Safety Department at Abu Dhabi Police for mutual aid and support during emergency operations.
Once a complaint is received over e-mail or hotline at the emergency unit these are directly transferred to responsible officers who take immediate action with the aim of eliminating and controlling any possible environment hazard.
Report illegal activities that harm the environment
Call the 24 hour hotline number 02-6934752 or 050-6674171 to report any illegal activities that harm the environment or public health and safety.
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