KUANTAN: The Environment Department has conducted water quality tests at locations near the site of a hydrochloric acid spill following an accident involving a tanker lorry near Cherating bridge on Saturday (June 13).
The department said water samples were tested at three locations within the mangrove area before the water flows into Sungai Cherating, located about 100 metres from the accident site, and found that the pH reading was within the normal range at pH 6.
"Monitoring conducted using YSI equipment in Sungai Cherating recorded a river water pH reading of 9.4, indicating that there was no acid contamination," it said on Sunday (June 14).
The department said the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department had also successfully sealed the venting line at the rear section of the tank, preventing a larger spill.
"The spill is estimated at approximately 1,000 litres and has been neutralised using soda ash. No further leakage or spillage was detected," the department said in a statement.
The department stressed that any discharge of pollutants resulting in environmental contamination and found to be in violation of the provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) will be thoroughly investigated.
Should any non-compliance with the Act be identified, strict enforcement action will be taken against those responsible.
It also said that it will continue to conduct regular monitoring at the accident site and surrounding areas to ensure that no pollution occurs and that all containment and clean-up measures are fully implemented in accordance with the prescribed requirements.
On Saturday, a man was reported injured after the tanker lorry carrying hydrochloric acid that he was driving overturned in Cherating, causing the chemical to spill and flow into a nearby mangrove area. – Bernama
