Rapid urbanisation leads to pollution

A drain clogged with oil grease and sludge found behind a shoplot.

URBAN centres in Kuala Lumpur are contributing to the pollution of Sungai Kelang and its tributaries, according to data from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

Based on DID’s inventory of pollution sources, collected after months of research for the River of Life (RoL) project from three local authorities — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) — the main sources include restaurants, mini markets, car workshops, carwash operators, laundrettes, food courts, construction sites and industries involved in iron, chemical and fertilisers.