JOHOR BARU: The company linked to the Sungai Johor pollution may face prosecution if the Environment Department (DOE) finds violations under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).
In a statement Sunday (Nov 2), the DOE said following a meeting with the Land and Mines Office and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), it will initiate legal action under the relevant Land and Mines (Licencing) Enactment and the SPAN Act.
The DOE also issued a Field Citation (FC) to the company, demanding a detailed report on corrective actions taken to repair the breached silt pond embankment that contributed to the pollution in Sungai Johor.
"In addition, the company has been instructed to continuously monitor all operational silt ponds to ensure no further pollution incidents occur," the statement said.
The DOE further emphasised that it would continue its investigations and take additional actions, including prosecution, should any violations of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) be identified.
The DOE clarified that the company's sand extraction activity was not subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as the affected area was less than 20ha.
Once the necessary repairs are completed, the department will ensure that no additional pollutants or muddy water enters nearby river systems.
"Any party found responsible for causing environmental pollution may face strict enforcement action. Operators of activities such as mining and industrial operations must implement effective pollution control measures, especially during the rainy season," the statement added.
On Saturday (Nov 1), Johor public works, transport, infrastructure and communication committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the turbidity level of raw water in the Sungai Johor Basin had risen dramatically to 37,400 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU), up from a normal level of around 400 NTU.
He said the incident was caused by soil movement that led to the collapse of the sixth sand washing pond owned by a company at an inland sand mining site in Kota Tinggi, contaminating the flow of Sungai Johor.
The incident disrupted water supply to 455,499 consumer accounts. As of Sunday morning, 211,257 accounts remain affected, including 139,654 in Johor Bahru, 43,786 in Kulai, and 27,817 in Kota Tinggi. To mitigate the impact, water release from the Linggiu Dam has been increased to aid dilution, and alternative water is being delivered to affected areas via tanker. - Bernama
