London Distillers Kenya Limited, a major alcoholic beverage factory in Mavoko, Machakos County, is facing a severe waste crisis after its sewer line was disconnected by Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company (MAVWASCO) working with the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA).
The disconnection was made after MAVWASCO analyzed samples of the effluent from LDK's distillery and found they did not meet the standards set by the Environment Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) and Water Regulations 2016.
MAVWASCO Managing Director Michael Mang'eli stated, 'This is really affecting the performance of the treatment plant at Kinanie and of late we have been accused by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of polluting Arthi River.'
MAVWASCO has given LDK two weeks to improve wastewater treatment failure to which it would be barred from discharging to the public sewer.
EPZA, which has suspended LDK's permit to discharge its effluent to public sewer, says test results from reputable laboratories indicate that LDK discharges effluents hazardous to human beings, the environment, and other organisms.
EPZA Chief Executive George Makateto stated, 'We as an organization do not support any act that will result in pollution and endangering the lives of both human beings, environment, and organisms by allowing you to continue discharging such waste into the EZPA sewer line.'
LDK was last year given six months by the National Assembly Environment Committee to control toxic discharge from its facility after residents of Great Wall Gardens on Shanghai Road in Athi River and adjacent areas filed a petition in March 2018, accusing the alcoholic it of subjecting them to health hazards.
