HULU LANGAT: Two recycling premises are suspected to be behind the odour pollution in Sungai Kabul, Semenyih, which started last Thursday, says Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari.
The premises, which recycle oil and plastic waste, are now being investigated by Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas).
Both premises are believed to have discharged oil waste and effluent into the drainage system, which later flowed into Sungai Kabul.
Amirudin said the odour pollution reading at the river reached between six and seven on the Threshold Odour Number (TON) scale.
“We have taken follow-up measures to prevent further impact on the water supply.
“These included activating the Selangor Raw Water Guarantee Scheme, which mobilised over 1.3 million cubic metres of water.
“Additionally, 535 million litres per day (MLD) were deployed over a 48-hour period, ending at 4.30am on Feb 21.
“The activation helped prevent water supply disruptions caused by the pollution,” he told reporters yesterday.
Amirudin added that the Sungai Kabul clean-up was wrapped up after 62 hours.
Investigations into the incident will be conducted under Section 79(4) of the Luas Enactment 1999 for offences involving water source pollution, which carries a penalty of fines ranging from RM200,000 to RM1mil, as well as imprisonment of up to three years if convicted.
“The state environment department has also ordered an operational suspension under Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act.
“Meanwhile, the Kajang Municipal Council has taken enforcement action against the first premises for operating without approval,” Amirudin added.
