17 Shenzhen companies were fined nearly 1.5 million yuan (US$188,000) for polluting the environment during the first quarter, the environment watchdog said Thursday.

Most of the named and shamed companies were punished for discharging untreated water.

A computer manufacturer in Longgang District received the heaviest punishment of 250,000 yuan, and four other factories were each fined 100,000 yuan and had their sewage discharge licenses suspended.

Penalties for the other 12 ranged between 50,000 to 120,000 yuan.

The environmental protection bureau said it will publicize polluters every quarter.

The bureau's spokesman said the authority expects to reduce industrial pollution further through similar severe punishments.

"We are also reminding other manufacturers that all polluters have to pay for their mistakes, and none of them can escape by luck," he said.

The computer manufacturer received its 250,000-yuan penalty late last month for operating a 1,300-square-meter unlicensed electroplate plant, discharging unprocessed sewage.

"The firm discharges more than 2,300 tons of sewage a day, 800 tons more than the amount allowed," the bureau said. "And the industrial waste that built up in the open air could cause serious pollution when it rains by permeating the soil."

The city launched tough measures against the dumping of waste last September. Violators were ordered to publish a letter of remorse and apologize for polluting the environment in newspapers.

(Shenzhen Daily April 13, 2007)