ABNORMAL odour detected at Sungai Buah and Sungai Semenyih in Selangor on Monday night (Feb 5) was found to have originated from an industrial area outside the state border.
However, quick action by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) and Air Selangor was able to control and restore water quality at the site within an hour.
State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said that Luas received information about the abnormal odour at 8.30pm on Monday. As a precaution, the raw water supply to the Jenderam Hilir water inlet was halted at 9.15pm.
“Luas personnel were immediately mobilised to find the source (of the pollution). A similar odour was detected near the border, close to the Lebuhraya Utara Selatan R&R.
“Luas placed two bags of activated carbon to neutralise the odour,” she said in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 6).
She said Luas and Air Selangor then recorded a 0 threshold odour number (Ton) three consecutive times starting at 11.30pm, and raw water supply to the Semenyih Water Treatment Plant resumed at 12.30am.
Jamaliah said that based on investigations by Luas, Air Selangor and the relevant authorities, the odour pollution was suspected to have come from a premise in an industrial area outside the border.
“The local authorities have instructed the premise operators to halt any discharge immediately.
“Static monitoring throughout the night until 8am at Sungai Semenyih showed normal odour levels.”
Jamaliah said samples were collected from the locations and will be sent for analysis.
“The state and Luas urge the public to be more cautious with activities that may cause water pollution, especially in light of the upcoming festivities.
She advised the public to report suspicious activities to Luas by emailing aduan@luas.gov.my or WhatsApp 019-264 7904.
