PETALING JAYA: Two people have been detained over the odour pollution that shut down four water treatment plants in Selangor and caused a cut in supply to thousands of households.
Confirming the detention, the Department of Environment said they were being held to help in investigation under Section 25 of the Environmental Quality Act.
"(The section) provides for a mandatory prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to RM10mil if convicted," it said in a statement on Wednesday (July 24).
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The department said it had conducted an investigation at a premises suspected of processing acrylic materials in the industrial area of Jalan Kampung Orang Asli, Kuang, in Rawang after the odour pollution was detected.
"The inspection found that the source of the odour pollution was due to a chemical leak known as poly methacrylic acid (PMAA) from a storage tank, which is a liquid product produced by the premises.
"The spill eventually overflowed into the neighbouring premises’ drain, then into the main road drain, and subsequently into the Kuang River.
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"The flow of the Kuang River enters the Kundang River, then into the Sembah River, and subsequently into the Selangor River. The chemical leak has caused the release of an odour due to the strong and pungent smell characteristics of PMAA," it said.
On Tuesday, the Rantau Panjang water treatment plant (WTP) and Sungai Selangor Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 WTPs (SPP1, SSP2, and SSP3) had to be shut down, affecting supply to seven areas under Air Selangor – Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor.
DOE said it had issued an immediate directive to the premises operator to carry out cleaning works within the premises, the drain area, and affected streams, and for these works to be completed by a licensed contractor by Tuesday evening.
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"Three evidence samples were also taken and submitted to the Chemistry Department for composition determination and matching tests.
"The operational area of the premises along with the processing equipment has also been seized by the DOE through the issuance of an Equipment Operation Detention (POK) notice under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 until the investigation is completed."
