JOHOR BARU – The Environment Department (DoE) is investigating complaints that Sg Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang here is emitting a foul odour and has seen its water turning black since Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, DoE said its industrial enforcement unit’s probe found the matter to be true, and has gathered information from residents living near the river.
A team from its Pasir Gudang branch scoured the area on Thursday, and monitoring by drone was carried out to identify the cause of the pollution, it said.
“River water quality assessments were carried out by Johor DoE’s monitoring unit at several locations along the river.
“Preliminary investigations found that the pollution may have been caused by the disposal of wastewater from non-industrial premises conducting maintenance work.”
The premises involved have been asked to carry out repairs immediately.
The department added that samples have been sent to the Chemistry Department for further action under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. – Bernama, August 1, 2021