Clearing works to remove overgrown water hyacinths from a lake in Taman Sri Murni, Selayang, are expected to be completed by year end.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in a media statement said the removal and maintenance exercise began in phases from Oct 17.
“The maintenance and clearing works are expected to be fully completed by the end-December.
“DBKL will continue to carry out maintenance to ensure public facilities remain in good condition,” it said.
Located along Jalan 9/3A, the lake sits next to SK Seri Murni and 99 Wonderland Park, near the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market.
A DBKL signboard indicates that the land is gazetted as an open space and recreational area.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said he lodged a complaint on Oct 12 regarding the rapid spread of the invasive plant.
“I also appeal to DBKL to consider turning the lake into a recreational park,” he added.
Yee had last year urged DBKL to collaborate with nearby developers to transform the site into a public park.
A recent check by StarMetro saw contractors clearing the plants from the lake.
Water quality expert Dr Zaki Zainudin said rapid growth of aquatic plants, commonly associated with algal blooms, was typically caused by an influx of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
He said these nutrients could come from pollution sources, including stormwater runoff and untreated wastewater.
“For example, wastewater from a wet market may contain organic matter that releases phosphorus and nitrogen as it decomposes,” he said.
“Similarly, wastewater from kitchens, restaurants and sewage also contains organic materials,” he said.
