Beach-goers had been left to swim in sewage because officials lacked environmental awareness, the office of the Ombudsman found.
Damage to a sewage outfall at Pillar Point and temporary suspension of the biological treatment process at the Tung Tau treatment plant resulted in six public beaches in Tuen Mun and Stanley being closed in July. But people were allowed to swim in the waters for several days before a warning was posted.
'Although there is no evidence to suggest that the departments concerned tried to cover things up, the public had every reason to be dissatisfied,' said Deputy Ombudsman Chan Ying-lun.
'The incidents occurred one after another, which showed Drainage Services staff were not vigilant enough on environmental problems.'