Suspected source of Sungai Gong pollution identified, river successfully treated

PETALING JAYA: A heavy machinery repair premises was suspected to be the source of Sungai Gong pollution.

In a statement, state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the smell of oil was detected along the river at 3pm on Thursday (Jan 25).

She said the Selangor Water Management Authority suspected the pollutant to come from the premises of a heavy machinery maintenance depot.

“About 12 oil tankers with 17,000 litres capacity each were found on the premises.

“The water management authority immediately placed oil booms, oil pads, activated carbon, and other safety measures along the river flow to trap the oil and neutralise the odour.

“Despite that, at 10:30 pm on Thursday, odour pollution of 1 threshold odour number (TON) was detected at Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plant.

“Because of that, water from KL Larut and Hang Tuah raw water ponds were released into the river to dilute the pollutants.

“Odour pollution of 0 TON was recorded from 11.30pm onwards,” she said, adding that the river was cleaned by 2.30am.

She said swift action by the water management authority prevented the closure of the main water treatment plant or any disruption.

She also said the involved party would be investigated under Section 79(1) of the Selangor Water Management Authority Enactment 1999.