![[UPDATED] Two Selangor water treatment plants shut following odour pollution](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/sg_sengkang_river_pollution_bernama_pic_05072021.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR – Two water treatment plants in Selangor were temporarily shut after odour pollution was detected in Sg Batang Benar in Negri Sembilan, Hee Loy Sian, Selangor’s exco for tourism and environment said.
The Semenyih treatment plant was shut at 11.15pm yesterday, and the Bukit Tampoi plant at 2am today.
They however resumed operations at 1.30am and 8am, respectively, he said in a statement.
The cause of pollution is suspected to be waste from factories in nearby industrial areas.
Hee said he received information at 8pm yesterday regarding suspected water pollution in Sg Batang Benar, where immediate investigation confirmed a foamy substance and odour.
Odour pollution was also detected at Jenderam Hilir at 11pm yesterday, leading to the temporary shutdowns of the two water plants.
Hee said monitoring of other rivers within the area – Sg Semenyih and Sg Buah – found that conditions were normal and no odour was detected.
Hee added that the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) has increased its monitoring to every 30 minutes to closely observe the rivers’ status, which have so far recorded consistent pollution readings of 0 tons, while marking a downward trend at the raw water intake in Jenderam Hilir.
The waste dump at Sg Batang Benar was suspected to have occurred earlier yesterday, during a heavy downpour in the evening.
Hee said Luas has contacted the Selangor Environmental Department to request further investigation by the Negri Sembilan Environmental Department, as the incident occurred outside of Selangor, and involved an industrial area in the neighbouring state.
Hee said the Selangor government will not compromise with any party that pollutes water sources and strict action will be taken according to the provisions of the Luas Enactment 1999.
He also calls on citizens to be mindful of actions that could lead to pollution of the state’s water resources and to report any suspicious activity. – The Vibes, December 2, 2022
