The?Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau said yesterday it will fine a local chemical company 490,000 yuan (US$75,617) for hiring unlicensed individuals and companies to deal with its industrial waste, most of which was illegally poured into a local lake.

Three officials of Shanghai Jiayu Chemical Co in Pudong New Area received bail while two suspects who dumped the waste into the Honghe Lake illegally were apprehended.

Another 11 companies were also fined between 120,000 and 160,000 yuan for hiring illegal firms to process their waste, the bureau said.

The Songjiang District Environmental Protection Bureau had been receiving reports about the abnormal water quality of Honghe Lake in the district since March.

Officials caught a truck secretly pouring industrial waste into the lake on March 27. A follow-up check found the waste contained strong acid and other water pollutants.

Investigation found the truck had dumped the industrial waste into the lake at least ten times since January, spewing out 5 to 9 tons each time.