GEORGE TOWN: Hundreds of premises are set to be inspected as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) cracks down on poorly maintained septic tanks in Penang, warning owners that neglect could lead to enforcement action.
SPAN operations executive director Jalaludin Sulaiman said individual septic tanks at homes cannot be left unattended and must be desludged at least once every two years or properly maintained.
He said during the three-day Ops Mutiara, carried out with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), commercial and domestic premises found to have failed to maintain their individual septic tanks would be issued notices and ordered to carry out the necessary work or face legal action.
"We aim to raise awareness among premises owners, and those found non-compliant will be ordered to rectify the situation within 14 days.
"The cost of desludging is about RM250 to RM500 for commercial premises, depending on usage, and RM192 for domestic tanks, typically once every two years," he said.
A total of 56 notices were issued on the first day of the operation on Tuesday (April 27), including one to a petrol station.
Jalaludin said awareness of septic tank maintenance remained low nationwide.
"As of 2024, there are more than 1.38 million individual septic tanks in Peninsular Malaysia, but the compliance rate is only 12%.
"In Penang, there are 15,049 tanks, with only 18% complying.
"Most of those who do not comply say they were unaware of the requirement," he said.
He warned that failure to maintain septic tanks could cause overflows, leading to pollution, contamination and health and safety risks.
He said individual septic tanks are sedimentation systems designed to receive wastewater from toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and washing machines.
"Wastewater flows out into drains while solids settle at the bottom of the tank. If the accumulated solids are not removed periodically, untreated wastewater can overflow and contaminate drains," he said.
Throughout the operation from Tuesday to Thursday, authorities aim to inspect at least 200 domestic premises.
Under Section 65(1)(c) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), septic tank owners must maintain their systems by appointing licensed service providers or permit holders to carry out desludging at prescribed intervals.
Offenders may be fined up to RM50,000 upon conviction.
Under Section 66(1)(a) of the Act, owners of private sewerage systems that are poorly maintained and cause nuisance or pose a health hazard commit an offence, punishable by a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to six months.
IWK chief operating officer Mohd Taufiq Salleh was also present.
