Factory ordered closed

PUTRAJAYA: A food factory in Beranang, Selangor has been issued a two-week stop-work order as it is suspected to have been the cause of the odour pollution in Sungai Semenyih.

The Environment and Water Ministry said the Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) has opened an investigation paper on the factory.

The incident resulted in the Semenyih Water Treatment Plant being shutdown on Aug 31 and again on Sept 3.

“Investigations by the Selangor DOE found that the plant was operational and several industrial effluent discharge and river water samples at the inlet were taken and sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

“Further investigations were conducted and air quality surveillance carried out at the factory’s final discharge point (prior to public drains).

“Several substances, namely volatile organic compounds (VOC), were detected in the air which released an odour similar to the VOC detected in the water samples taken during the Semenyih treatment plant shutdown on Aug 31,” the ministry said in a statement.

Following these findings, the DOE issued a notice under Section 38 (1) (a) of the Environmental Quality Act for the factory to stop the pollution immediately.

Factory production has also been suspended until further notice.

The case will be investigated under Section 25 (1) of the Act and the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations.

The ministry said the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has also taken waste water samples, as well as other evidence, and that an investigation paper has been opened under Section 121 (1) (C) of the Water Services Industry Act.

The offence, if convicted, provides a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both.

The shutdown caused unscheduled water supply disruptions in 463 areas namely Petaling (172 areas), Hulu Langat (54), Sepang (194), Putrajaya (23) and Kuala Langat (20).

Separately, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd corporate communications head Elina Baseri said water supply was restored at 12pm yesterday.

“Air Selangor would like to thank affected consumers for their patience and cooperation during the unscheduled water supply disruption,” she said.

Consumers are also advised to obtain official information on water supply disruptions through Air Selangor’s official app, social media and website.

Any inquiries or complaints can be directed to its contact centre at 15300 or help centre via the Air Selangor app.