KUALA LUMPUR – The Sg Semenyih water treatment plant (LRA) has been shut down after a palm oil spill, but water supply will not be disrupted in Selangor, said the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas).
Selangor environment exco Hee Loy Sian in a statement said investigations by Luas yesterday revealed traces of oil at an exit drainage system of a palm oil processing factory.
As part of its preventive measures, Luas has placed four activated carbons at outflow areas to avoid any contamination of Sg Rinching, he added.
“Luas will continue to observe the water flow into Sg Rinching, and inspections found oil traces have flowed into the river.
“Luas has placed an oil boom to minimise and prevent the oil from spilling into Sg Rinching and, subsequently, Sg Semenyih.
“There are no traces of oil odour pollution in the raw water supply.”
Factory representatives told Luas that early preventive measures have been put in place and operations halted to prevent the oil spill from worsening.
The water supply will not be affected, they added.
Cleaning works and the removal of oil is expected to be completed within 24 hours.
“Luas activated Code Yellow based on the Selangor water pollution emergency manual to investigate the affected area and stopped work at the Sg Semenyih LRA,” said Hee.
“The distance between the area under investigation and LRA is approximately 15.9km.”
Factory representatives explained that the incident occurred because a containment tank had technical issues, causing the oil spill.
Based on Luas’ observation and odour sample tests, zero tonnes of odour pollution have been detected as of 5am today. River flow is also normal.
However, the water authority will issue a water protection order under Section 122 of the Luas Enactment 1999 against the factory concerning the risk and threat of the incident towards the water quality.
“Pursuant to Section 79 of the Luas Enactment (Amendment) 2020 concerning the prohibition on polluting water supplies, if found guilty, the penalty includes a jail term not exceeding three years, and a fine not less than RM200,000 and not exceeding RM1 million,” said Hee. – The Vibes, June 15, 2021
