Water disruption avoided due to Luas' swift action

PETALING JAYA: Swift action by the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) saved water treatment plants (LRA) from potential downtime after water pollution was detected at Sungai Langat on Friday (June 10) afternoon.

Selangor tourism and environment exco member Hee Loy Sian in a statement Friday said that LUAS was also taking follow-up mitigation measures and monitoring the situation closely.

A factory near the river released liquid that caused the river to turn white and had a chlorine-like odour, LUAS' investigation found.

"It was found that the cause of the incident was the discharge of effluent from a sump belonging to a factory which releases white-coloured liquid into the river without passing through the final discharge point of the premise effluent set.

"Luas has activated the Yellow Code based on the Water Resources Pollution Emergency Manual and involved agencies such as Kajang Municipal Council and the Environment Department," Hee said.

Three samples of polluted water were collected and will be submitted to the Chemistry Department for further analysis.

Hee added that the premises was also given a stop-work order by LUAS and a clean-up was carried out by the factory.

It is estimated that the distance from the factory to the three nearest water inlets for the treatment plant are 18km to Semenyih LRA 2; 29.5km to Bukit Tampoi LRA and 40.9km to Labohan Dagang LRA.

An investigation paper on the incident was made under Section 79(1) Luas Enactment 1999, in which the premises owner faces a minimum fine of RM200,000 and a maximum of RM1mil and jail of not less than three years.