Water cuts: Factory identified, closed and impounded

PETALING JAYA: Action has been taken against culprits believed to have caused the unscheduled water cuts that are affecting thousands of households in the Klang Valley, as authorities continue cleaning-up efforts to rid pollutants from the water source.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said a factory believed to be the cause of the problem has been closed down and impounded.

"Work to remove pollutants from the water source continues today (Sept 4) and it is being done round the clock to ensure that the water is clean and safe," he tweeted.

Amirudin said activated carbon was also being added to lessen the smell of the pollutants and about 400mil litres of water a day has been pumped out of the Bestari Jaya pond to flush out and dilute the effluents.

In addition, about 500mil litres of water a day from the Sungai Tinggi dam is being used to aid efforts to clear out the pollutants.

Amirudin said water was also being supplied to residents affected by the water cuts.

"Currently, 78 water trucks, 22 jumbo water trucks, 54 static water tanks, 18 local service centres, eight public taps and 23,000 of five-litre water bottles have been deployed and distributed to those affected, and Air Selangor is constantly monitoring the situation," he said.

On Thursday (Aug 3), Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) said an unidentified solvent had made the water source in Sungai Selangor odorous.

Subsequently, odour sampling was conducted near the Sungai Gong industrial area, which is believed to be the source of the problem.

Sungai Gong is a tributary of Sungai Sembah, which is the main tributary of Sungai Selangor located about 17km from the Rantau Panjang Water Treatment plant.