DID: Water quality improves with less pollutants in Sungai Pinang

Workers removing rubbish trapped at the log boom by transferring them in baskets to dumpsters beside Sungai Pinang in Penang. - LIM BENG TATT/The Star

LOCKDOWN or not, Sungai Pinang in Penang still gets a daily haul of rubbish especially those trapped at the log boom barrier installed in the river.

Further from the log boom, however, the amount of rubbish appears to be less than before.

A check by The Star recently found that there was no foul smell from the river and workers were hard at work collecting trash trapped at the log boom into baskets before transferring them into dumpsters beside the river.

It is learnt that the contractor will clean and remove trash from the log boom every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Zainuddin Yusoff said the water quality in Sungai Pinang had definitely improved during the lockdown as there were less pollutants.

“Sungai Pinang’s water quality varies between Class Two and Three of the National Water Quality Standards, depending on the time we get the water samples.

“If people reduce their waste discharge into the river, dispose wastes in a proper manner and not pollute the river, water quality can be improved within a short time.

“When the water is clean and clear, we can see fish and other water creatures in the river, ” he said in a phone interview.

(Class One is pristine and suitable for drinking while Class Four and Five are very polluted and not suitable for contact with the body.)

“We will cut the grass beside the river bank and on the slope every month. Maintenance of the river is done periodically and we will increase the frequency whenever needed, ” he added.

Zainuddin said that public awareness on the importance of rivers and taking care of them was greatly appreciated.

“Taking care of the river will help minimise flooding and we can have better river water quality, besides helping to maintain seafood quality and supply chain.

“We hope that everyone, including developers, industries, non-governmental organisations, private sectors, government agencies and the public at large, can take care of all our rivers, lakes, wetlands, water catchment areas and all our available water bodies, ” he said.

Fisherman Shah Ban Che Amat, 69, observed that there was minimal trash in the river now due to the lockdown as well as the low tide.

“When there is no rain and during low tide season, there will be less garbage in the river. Usually during high tide, the current will bring in rubbish from the river banks.

“However, during rainy season and high tide, we will see wood, plastic, old furniture, ice boxes and electric appliances floating in the river. It is indeed an eyesore for us.

“In still water, rubbish will sink to the bottom of the river. The junk could be found under the pontoons at the fishermen’s jetty and boats berthed in the river. We will have to remove the garbage to prevent it from damaging our pontoons and boat propellers in shallow water when heading out to sea.

“I really miss the time when we got to swim in the river when I was a kid, ” said Shah who has been a fisherman for over 40 years.

The Sungai Pinang river basin is about 50sq km, covering much of George Town and all of Ayer Itam plus Paya Terubong.

It is fed by six tributaries, all of which run through densely populated urban centres on the island.

Sungai Pinang was deemed as one of the dirtiest rivers in the country prior to the first movement control order last year. The river used to be pitch black with foul smell.