JOHOR BARU: Tens of thousands of people are still without water despite two out of the four water treatment plants resuming operations after being shut down due to pollution caused by sandmining along Sg Johor since Friday.
The dry taps, which started on Oct 31, have affected more than a million consumers across four districts, namely Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Kulai and Pontian.
It has forced people to stock up on bottles of mineral water, as many are worried that the dire situation could prolong.
At press time, efforts were being made to get all four water treatment plants located along Sg Johor operational again.
Rosli Hassan, 48, from Tebrau said recovery numbers shared on the water concessionaire’s social media accounts are pointless if people still do not get water supply after more than 48 hours.
“Some areas are facing a longer period of water cuts. I hope the state government takes this matter seriously and goes after the polluters of our water resources.”
He thanked the water concessionaire for being proactive by sending water tankers to the affected areas.
Another local resident, known only as Wan, from Taman Impian Emas in Skudai, said her area had no water supply since Saturday.
“It has brought a lot of hardship to my family, especially when we have elderly people living in the house,” she said.
During a site visit, 25 fishermen from Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang in Kota Tinggi believe that the latest pollution had resulted in about one tonne of dead fish.
“It will take us six months or more for us to recover from this, as we were forced to endure a similar incident due to ammonia discharge from a factory seven years ago,” said Azman Izam.
“We also hope this river can fully recover soon, especially since it is now the fish breeding season,” the 48-year-old fisherman told reporters after inspecting Ulu Sungai Johor in Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang yesterday.
“I have three schoolgoing children, so every ringgit counts.
“When the river is polluted, it directly affects our ability to feed our families,” he said.
Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang Village Development and Security Committee’s Fisheries Network chairman Jasni Ahmad said the pollution had caused the fish population to decline.
“The villagers are asking for compensation from the company involved. We also hope the company will carry out corporate social responsibility initiatives such as restocking the river with fish fry,” he said.
Tok Batin Majid Jantan said about 25 fishermen have been left without income for four days.
He said the average fisherman previously earned between RM60 and RM100 a day.
“I hope the authorities ensure this never happens again. We are also requesting compensation as the effects of this pollution are long-term,” he added.
