DOE says data shows Tasik Chini is clean and not polluted

KUANTAN: Claims of severe water pollution at Tasik Chini has been refuted by the Pahang Department of Environment (DOE).

The department said monitoring of the lake's water quality to date showed that it was in the "clean" category.

"These findings are based on monitoring of the lake since 2005.

"There are 15 water quality monitoring stations set in locations around Tasik Chini, with a monitoring frequency of once a month at each station," the state DOE said in a statement.

It said the main parameters measured were biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) and iron (Fe).

"Generally, the data for 2020 and until March 2021 shows the water quality of Tasik Chini is in the 'clean' category," it said.

According to Pahang DOE, the average reading of BOD in 2020 was 1.99 mg/l, which was in Class 2 with sub-index 92, SS was at 6.95 mg/l in Class 1 with sub-index 94 and AN was at 0.02 mg/l in Class 1 with sub-index 99.

Until March 2021, the average reading for BOD was at 1.99 mg/l in Class 2 with sub-index 92, SS was at 8.93 mg/l in Class 1 with sub-index 92 and AN was at 0.05 mg/l in Class 1 with sub-index 95.

For the iron parameter, the average reading in 2020 was 2.54 mg/l, which showed a downward trend over the previous year's 3.81 mg/l.

While in 2021, the average reading for the first three months showed an increased trend to 3.6 mg/l.

"The increase occurred in February due to the heavy rain factor but the reading has since decreased in March," said Pahang DOE.

It added that in-situ testing conducted at two locations on June 9 found that the dissolved oxygen parameter was 4.2 mg/l to 4.7 mg/l, turbidity was 9.6 NTU to 15.8 NTU, and pH was between 6.04 to 6.67.

"The Pahang DOE, in collaboration with Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang has released the Tasik Chini water quality profile for 2016 to 2020 in October 2020. The public can refer to this profile at the Pahang DOE office.

"In conclusion, the water quality of Tasik Chini is at a clean level and is safe for all life, especially the aquatic life in it," said Pahang DOE.

The department's response came following the circulation of comparison photographs allegedly showing the state of the freshwater lake, which is a Biosphere Reserve designated by Unesco.

Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Razak chipped in as well, saying that the photograph was taken two years ago and based on information he received, several measures had been planned and taken to resolve and rehabilitate the lake's condition.

A news portal also reported recently that a mining project had been approved in the vicinity of Tasik Chini.