On 14/5, the Thanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment announced an administrative penalty decision against BOB Ha Noi Co., Ltd., totaling over 1,5 billion VND for numerous violations in wastewater discharge and environmental treatment operations. The decision follows reports of well water in Thach Quang commune turning an unusual purple color and emitting a foul odor.

An inspection revealed multiple infractions by BOB Ha Noi. The company lacked handover records for ordinary industrial solid waste for each transfer and failed to report to authorities about hazardous waste storage exceeding one year. Authorities also determined that the company did not report changes to its environmental permit, failed to fully comply with the issued permit's requirements, and installed additional pipelines and equipment to discharge untreated waste into the environment. Furthermore, the company was found to have diluted treated wastewater before discharging it to meet technical standards, and to have discharged wastewater exceeding permitted standards.

In addition to the administrative fine, BOB Ha Noi Co., Ltd. had its environmental permit suspended for 4-5 months to rectify the violations. The Thanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment mandated the company dismantle all systems and pipelines used for diluting wastewater with well water. It also ordered the removal of the rainwater collection trench connected to the wastewater manhole from the laundry workshop. The factory must also renovate its wastewater collection and treatment system to prevent seepage and overflow into the environment. The company is also required to restore the area previously dug into ponds for storing untreated wastewater before it was pumped to the centralized treatment system.

Unusual colored wastewater in the collection tank of BOB Ha Noi Company in Thach Quang commune. *Photo: Lam Son*

Earlier, in mid-April, dozens of households in Quang Trung village, Thach Quang commune, reported that their well water had unexpectedly turned dark purple, then reddish, and emitted a strong foul odor. A stream flowing through the residential area also changed color, leading residents to suspect a discharge source from a nearby laundry facility.

Following an inspection, the Thach Quang Communal People's Committee determined that untreated wastewater from BOB Ha Noi Co., Ltd. was the primary cause of the water pollution. On 21/4, the communal authorities ordered the company to temporarily cease all laundry operations to review its wastewater treatment system and address the environmental consequences. Nguyen Van Dinh, Deputy General Director of BOB Ha Noi, later admitted that on the evening of 14/4, a wastewater treatment system operator "fell asleep," causing untreated wastewater to overflow. At that time, the company was washing a batch of red clothing, which resulted in the unusual purple color of the wastewater.

A stream near the laundry factory in Thach Quang with an unusual purple color. *Photo: Lam Son*

BOB Ha Noi Co., Ltd. Branch 1 in Thach Quang commune, spanning over 5,6 hectares, has been operating since 2021. In addition to its laundry operations, which employ over 100 workers, the company also leases space to two other entities for the production of electrical cables and children's toys.

By Le Hoang