TWO recycling premises are suspected to be behind the odour pollution in Sungai Kabul, Semenyih, which started last Thursday (Feb 19), said Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari.
The two premises, which recycle oil and plastic waste respectively, are now being investigated by Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas).
The premises are believed to have discharged oil waste and effluent into the drainage system, which later flowed into Sungai Kabul.
Amirudin said the odour pollution reading at the river reached between six and seven on the Threshold Odour Number (TON) scale.
“We have taken follow-up measures to prevent further impact on the water supply.
“These included activating the Selangor Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM), which mobilised over 1.3 million cubic meters of water. Additionally, 535 million litres per day (MLD) were deployed over a 48-hour period, ending at 4.30 am on Feb 21.
“The activation helped prevent water supply disruptions caused by the pollution,” he said during a press conference along Jalan Perindustrian Mahkota 2 in Beranang.
Amirudin also said that the Sungai Kabul clean-up was wrapped up after 62 hours.
He added that investigations into the incident would be conducted under Section 79(4) of the Luas Enactment 1999 for offences involving water source pollution, which carries fines ranging from RM200,000 to RM1mil, as well as imprisonment of up to three years if convicted.
“The state environment department has also ordered an operational suspension under Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, while the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) has taken enforcement action against the first premises for operating without approval,” he said.
Also present were state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim, Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan and Dusun Tua assemblyman Datuk Johan Abd Aziz.
