HANGZHOU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Three suspects are in custody after industrial waste water containing 180 times the maximum safe level of zinc was discharged directly into a river in east China's Zhejiang Province.
The three, detained on Wednesday, will be charged with polluting the environment, according to an environmental official in the city of Linhai Saturday.
A plant manufacturing tools for auto repair was found to be dumping unprocessed waste water into a waterway 50 meters away during an inspection in Linhai.
The inspectors said the waste water was a byproduct of metal polishing and surface treatment.
Excessive levels of zinc, bronze and nickel were detected in the water, and the zinc level was more than 180 times over the maximum allowed amount, said the official.
Police arrested the factory owner and two managers.H Like other parts of the country, Linhai City this year initiated the "river chief" system, with leading officials being the major responsible people in addressing water pollution.
Those convicted of polluting the environment can be sent to prison for up to seven years.
