IPOH: All premises with individual septic tanks are required to empty and clean them at least once every two years.
National Water Services Commission (SPAN) enforcement section (operations) director Ainal Yusman Mohamad Yusop said this was required under Section 65(1)(c) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006.
The section requires premises owners to maintain septic tanks by appointing a licensed service provider to carry out cleansing works within a period of time.
"These tanks have limited space.
"They are designed to receive sewage water from toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and washing machines," he told a press conference after an Ops Kejor joint enforcement operation with Indah Water Konsortium at the Menglembu Industrial Area here on Wednesday (June 10).
"If solid sediments at the bottom of the tanks are not removed, they could overflow and cause pollution or health risks.
"And under Section 66 (1)(a) of the Act, premises owners are responsible for their own sewage system so as not to cause disturbance to others," he added.
Ainal Yusman said the common reasons of people not getting their septic tanks cleaned included change of ownership, or not knowing about the regulation.
"Premises owners would receive notices to cleanse the septic tanks.
"They would either need to agree to it or set another date for the work," he said, adding that some premises have not cleaned their tanks for 20 years.
"Premises owners are also allowed to find their own contractors.
"We've been lenient and given many chances until it has become a trend not to comply with regulations, so now we are taking action," he added.
He said SPAN encouraged premises owners to clean their septic tanks voluntarily.
"After two weeks, we will issue notices to force cleansing works to be done," he said, adding that those who do not comply could be hauled to court and fined if convicted.
Ainal Yusman said SPAN has checked about 315 premises during Ops Kejor so far and the operation will continue until Friday (June 12) at Menglembu and Chandan.
He said this was the fourth operation after Melaka, Penang and Perlis.
"As of last year, there are more than 1.38 million individual septic tanks in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan.
"In Perak alone, there are 258,650," he said.
