GEORGE TOWN – Sg Tengah has been polluted upstream through the disposal of pig waste from Ladang Valdor in Nibong Tebal, said the state Environment Department (DoE).
“Down the river, we find indiscriminate dumping, but not involving a palm oil processing plant, as claimed by residents,” said Penang DoE chief assistant director-general Abdul Aziz Parmin.
The pollution of Sg Tengah, located in Jawi, caused by livestock waste and illegal dumping has prompted the state DoE to reclassify the river as Class 4, the second-worst category of contamination.
There are a total of six categories – Class 1 (under natural conditions), Class 2A (water requires conventional treatment), Class 2B (water can be used for recreation), Class 3 (water requires intensive treatment), Class 4 (only for irrigation purposes) and Class 5 (severely polluted water).
Aziz said his department conducts regular inspections of the palm oil plant, and the factory has complied with DoE requirements in terms of waste management.
He said the facility did not dump palm oil waste directly into the river, but through a “G ditch” managed by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID).
“Through the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Premises) Crude Palm Oil Regulations 1977, the suspended solid emission limit for the palm oil industry is different from ordinary industrial mills. Palm oil mills are allowed to dispose of 400mg/l compared to only 100mg/l for ordinary factories.”
On Thursday, The Vibes reported that Sg Tengah has been allegedly contaminated by waste from the factory, with the pollution affecting 4,000 residents, most of whom are fishermen.
The issue is said to have persisted for more than 20 years.
Meanwhile, state environment exco Phee Boon Poh said he is waiting for a full report from the authorities on the Sg Tengah pollution.
He said DID has set up a special committee to address river and sea pollution in all Penang districts.
“If found guilty, the state government will not hesitate to take action against any party.” – The Vibes, November 8, 2020
