MELAKA: A waste management company was given a RM10,000 compound for polluting Sungai Ayer Batu in Sungai Udang here.
It discharged leachate into the river, polluting water resources meant for agricultural purposes, said state rural development, flood management and green technology committee chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron.
“Farmers complained about blackish water flowing into their irrigation systems and, when the authorities investigated, they found the company was the main culprit, ” he said.
Idris said the leachate was believed to be from the Sungai Udang landfill area.
The company, he said, could also face a maximum compound of RM125,000 or RM1,000 per day for subsequent offences.
Idris said the compound was issued following investigation by Melaka Water Regulatory Authority under Section 39(a) of the Water Resources Enactment Melaka 2014.
He said water from Sungai Ayer Batu was an important source for agriculture and livestock farming, especially to irrigate padi fields.
Farmers from Paya Rumput and Bukit Rambai were badly affected by the pollution that was first detected in August last year, he added.
Idris said the state government had gazetted 103 rivers as water resources since 2012.
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