SHAH ALAM: Selangor has recorded a 65% drop in water source pollution emergency cases last year compared with 2024, reflecting the effectiveness of the Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP) in curbing pollution from industrial activities.
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the performance strengthened the stability of the state’s water supply system, with no shutdowns recorded at major water treatment plants (LRA) since the implementation of the ZDP in August two years ago.
“Since the implementation of the ZDP initiative under the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), no major water treatment plant shutdowns due to water source pollution were recorded, reducing the risk of supply disruptions to domestic users and the economic sector.
“The Water Quality Index (WQI) readings for major rivers up to October 2025 were in Class II and above, proving that water sources remained safe for raw water supply,” she said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 14).
She added that the policy’s implementation also resulted in a consistent downward trend, with only 28 water source pollution cases reported in 2025 compared with 80 cases in 2024, 76 cases in 2023, 71 cases in 2022 and 64 cases in 2021.
She said the decline also reflected improved compliance among industrial premises in wastewater management and more efficient treatment systems.
“This 65% reduction proved that the ZDP was effective in reducing the risk of water source pollution and improving effluent management discipline among industries.
“Several factories successfully implemented wastewater recycling and treatment systems that complied with standards, thereby reducing the impact of their operations on rivers,” she said.
In the same development, Jamaliah said the implementation of the ZDP strengthened the Emission or Discharge of Pollutants (State of Selangor) Regulations 2012 by requiring wastewater to be treated before being discharged into water sources.
The policy was implemented through the Effluent Discharge Licensing System (LEDs), which emphasised monitoring of quality and quantity, including monthly reporting to LUAS and the imposition of return water charges, she said.
“Licensed premises were required to conduct self-monitoring with effluent sampling at accredited laboratories and submit reports every three months to LUAS. Enforcement action would be taken if standard limits were not complied with to ensure water source quality was not compromised,” she said.
Commenting further, Jamaliah said the state government was committed to strengthening policy, enforcement and strategic cooperation to ensure the sustainability of water resources for present and future generations, especially as the success of the ZDP in Selangor had attracted interest from several other state governments seeking to adopt a similar approach. – Bernama
