JOHOR BARU: Sungai Johor will be gazetted as a priority water source, says state executive councillor Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.
The Johor works, transportation, infrastructure and communications committee chairman said the move is part of efforts to ensure the river, which supplies water to nearly two million people, will not be affected by pollution in the future.
"We have had early discussions to gazette Sungai Johor as a protected priority zone for water sources.
"This means any future development along the river, including rivers that flow into it, will be subject to strict regulations and guidelines.
"A committee will also be formed to provide feedback to the state government on implementation and control measures," he said at a press conference after checking on water distribution efforts at Taman Impian Emas here on Wednesday (Nov 5).
Asked if the state government plans to give a rebate to those affected, he said it will be considered.
"It is being considered. Wait for the state government’s announcement on the rebate," he said.
During the state assembly sitting in May, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that 155,074 accounts affected by an unscheduled water cut would receive a 15% rebate for that month’s bill.
His announcement came after thousands of people were affected by an unexpected breakdown of the main pump supplying water to the Sungai Johor Water Treatment Plant.
On Friday, Mohamad Fazli said the water turbidity level in Sungai Johor had spiked to 37,400 NTU compared with the normal level of around 400 NTU.
Initial investigations found the incident was triggered by a local sand mining operator after soil movement led to the collapse of the sixth sand washing pond in Kota Tinggi, contaminating Sungai Johor.
The pollution affected four water treatment plants, leading to an unscheduled water disruption involving about 1.2 million consumers across Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Kulai and Pontian.
