Johor government has allocated RM2mil to rehabilitate Sungai Buluh and Sungai Tukang Batu in Pasir Gudang and improve water quality.
These are among the nine polluted rivers that have been identified in the state.
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said both rivers were currently categorised as polluted, following years of sedimentation, industrial discharge and domestic waste accumulation.
The Yong Peng assemblyman added that the state government aimed to have both rivers removed from the polluted list within the next two years.
“The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) and Johor Department of Environment (DOE).
“Several measures are being implemented, including dredging riverbeds to improve water flow and prevent further accumulation of waste and sludge,” he said.
Ling added that the installation of Effective Microorganisms (EM) auto-dosing stations along the rivers would accelerate the natural breakdown of pollutants.
EM is a mixture of beneficial microorganisms such as yeast, lactic acid bacteria and photosynthetic bacteria that help break down organic waste and reduce harmful substances in the water.
The microorganisms naturally neutralise pollutants by accelerating the decomposition of sludge and improving oxygen levels in the river.
“EM supply will be used continuously for water treatment to restore biological balance and improve water clarity,” said Ling in a press conference.
The project, he said, also aligned with the Low Carbon City Framework (LCCF), where industries operating near the rivers were encouraged to adopt greener practices.
He added that the project was progressing well, having started in September and was expected to be completed by next month.
“So far, the implementation has reached 70% completion.
“Once we see success with these two rivers, we plan to expand similar initiatives to other polluted rivers in the state.”
Ling said real-time monitoring would soon be introduced to track the water conditions of the rivers and surrounding air quality.
“This will allow quicker response to pollution incidents and provide continuous oversight.”
Several key locations have been identified for focused monitoring, such as areas with a history of pollution complaints, environmental hotspots and locations considered high-risk or environmentally sensitive.
Ling said DOE would continue enforcement at industrial sites to ensure that wastewater released into drains met regulatory standards.
“The state government remains committed to restoring and protecting the water quality of all nine affected rivers.”
Ling urged industries, local authorities and the public to cooperate and play their part in preserving the environment.
“Environmental conservation is a shared responsibility and it must start now.”
Ling also said MBPG was also monitoring industrial carbon emissions through the evaluation of electricity consumption and wastewater management systems.
He added that industries were being encouraged to increase green coverage around their facilities to help reduce heat and improve air quality.
