Ng (centre) and Mohd Jalaludin (right) with SPAN and IWK officials inspecting the completed sewerage pipe replacement project in SS15, Subang Jaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) will issue notices to business premises that made unauthorised connections to the sewerage system in the SS15 commercial area.
“We are aware that some property owners made unauthorised connections from kitchens (to the sewerage network) as well as rainwater downpipes directly into inspection chambers,” said Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng.
“The oil from kitchens is one of the main causes of blockages in the sewerage pipes, while (wrongly channelled) rainwater often results in overflow as the capacity of sewerage pipes cannot cater to rainfall.
“This matter has been discussed with MBSJ, which will conduct an inspection and issue notices to the relevant premises to redirect those connections,” she said.
MBSJ councillor Balachandran Naicker said he would work with the relevant council departments to create updated guidelines for grease traps at restaurants.
He noted that many businesses either used improperly sized traps or did not have any, which contributed to blockages and backflow in the sewerage system.
The new guidelines will address grease trap sizing and cleaning frequency.
Ng and Balachandran were speaking at a press conference on the completion of a RM2.74mil project to replace the sewerage pipe system at Jalan SS15/4 and Jalan SS15/8 in Subang Jaya.
Funds came from National Water Services Commission (SPAN)’s Sewerage Capital Contribution Fund, while Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) was the implementing agency.
Also present were SPAN Regional Operations Division senior director Mohd Jalaludin Sulaiman and IWK head of capital works Muhamad Hanif Sepran.
“The project was completed on July 10, after 18 months.
“The delay in its original 12-month completion was largely due to the need to control soil movement during construction,” said Ng.
“The contractors had to move slower than originally intended, as extra care was required to secure the structural integrity of surrounding buildings.”
The project was initiated in January 2024 to replace sewerage pipes that were over 30 years old, which were prone to frequent damage, resulting in blockages and backflow into premises.
“This caused frequent disruptions to both the public and business proprietors operating in the vicinity,” Ng said.
The sewerage project was expected to benefit some 40,000 people working and living in the area, she said, adding that her office received 88 complaints the year before its implementation.
She said the length of the main sewer line installed is 400m, using vitrified clay pipes with a diameter of 225mm.
The connecting pipes for all 46 existing shoplots, also vitrified clay pipes, were approximately 150m in total, with a diameter of 150mm.
In addition, IWK upgraded the drainage system in the area.
“Business owners are reminded that Section 61 of Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) prohibits effluent from being discharged into public sewerage systems,” said Mohd Jalaludin.
