‘PBAPP water treatment plant residue disposed of in line with govt regulations’

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) today said its treatment plant disposes of residue in an environmentally friendly and institutionalised manner, and in compliance with government regulations.

PBAPP chief executive Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa, in a statement, said its operations are on a par with those of water operators in countries like Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Water treatment plant residue is a national issue that is being tackled at the federal level, as stated by the Environment Department (DoE) under the Environment and Water Ministry.

“As part of PBAPP’s ISO9001:2015 and ISO14001:2015 commitments to continuously improve in terms of quality and environmental management, (the company) is always concerned about the proper handling of residue at its water treatment plant.”

The statement is in response to claims last week that PBAPP’s Sg Dua treatment plant is discharging residue into a tributary of Sg Prai in Seberang Prai Utara district, causing river contamination.

Jaseni said treatment plant residue is a problem that Malaysian water operators have faced for a long time.

Since 2009, PBAPP and other such bodies in the country have called on federal authorities to regulate the matter and build facilities to properly handle treatment plant residue.

The Malaysia Water Association, Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd and Malaysian District Water Engineers’ Action Committee have echoed calls for action, he said.

“PBAPP is a licensed Malaysian water supply operator. The daily operations of all water treatment plants in Penang are regulated and monitored by three national agencies.

“They are the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), DoE under the Environment and Water Ministry, and Health Ministry.

“As such, SPAN, DoE and the Environment and Water Ministry are aware that the Sg Dua treatment plant has been discharging residue into Sg Merbau Kudung, a tributary of Sg Prai.”

Jaseni said they are also aware of the fact that the majority of treatment plants in other states are discharging residue into rivers on a daily basis.

SPAN estimates that Malaysian water treatment plants produce 5,500 tonnes of residue per day. – The Vibes, May 11, 2021