THE Assembly heard that joint enforcement of relevant authorities and improvements to the Environment Quality Act 1974 are among ways to prevent ammonia contamination in rivers.
“There will be joint enforcement with technical agencies, relevant local councils, land and district offices to ensure that water resources are protected.
“Another method is to carry out enforcement and update the source of pollution at Sungai Semenyih, Sungai Beranang and Sungai Rincing, ” said state environment, green technology and consumer affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian.
He said this in reply to Lau Weng San (PH-Banting) who questioned the frequent odour pollution at Sungai Semenyih this year.
He also asked on ways to detect and reduce high levels of ammonia from being released into the river.
Hee said the state government via Selangor Water Management Authority had carried out several measures to prevent the recurrence of odour pollution at Sungai Semenyih.
“My office has written a proposal to the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry for the improvement of relevant regulations under the Environment Quality Act, ” he said.
Hee added that more enforcement officers would be hired to strengthen enforcement.
There would be 24-hour static monitoring and sampling at main pollution locations.
“For example, there was the monitoring of odour pollution at Sungai Semenyih and Sungai Buah. Cleaning contractors were hired for cleaning works involving scheduled waste material.
“There will also be water source quality and quantity stations at the river basins like the ones at Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat that has been built and used for telemetry monitoring, ” he said.
There was follow up through two committees, Sungai Klang, Sungai Selangor, and Sungai Langat River Basin Task Force Meeting and the Selangor River Basin and Coastal Management Committee meeting chaired by state infrastructure and public amenities, agriculture and agro-industry committee chairman Izham Hashim.
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