DIRTY, blackish and smelly water detected in Tanjung Sepat beach, Selangor on Sept 23 has been traced to eight animal farms nearby.
In a statement, Selangor tourism and environment exco member Hee Loy Sian said all eight premises were located on one plot of private agricultural land, and were licensed by the Veterinary Services Department.
Hee said water samples from the drain that connected the farms to the beach were of low quality.
"The area only has animal farms and oil palm plantations. Animal farming activities are suspected to have caused the reduction in the drain water quality.
"Water samples taken by Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) at the farms' premises for ammonium nitrogen and biochemical oxygen demand parameters recorded to be of Class 5 and very significant with farming activities.
"Luas, under Section 121 of the Luas Enactment 1999, has ordered the landowner to make repairs to the drain inside and outside of its premises to ensure that the water, which flows from the farms into the drain, is of satisfactory quality.
"If the landowner fails to follow the order, a detailed investigation paper will be submitted to the public prosecutor for legal action," he said.
