THE maximum fine for illegally discharging sewage into local rivers has been raised fivefold to 500,000 yuan (US$73,470) for a first violation.

Shanghai Water Authority also announced yesterday that the fine would be increased if polluters didn’t take action to remedy the damage caused.

The new punishment standards on waste water discharge have been issued by the authority in response to a report issued by the central government’s environment inspection team in April. In the report, the inspection team pointed out problems in Shanghai’s efforts to build a better ecological environment, including the local government’s “leniency” toward environmental management.