GEORGE TOWN: Cleaning works at Parit Cina and Sungai Kereh to remove accumulated sediment and improve water flow are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
State local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said the works were part of the state government's efforts to address pollution and persistent odour problems affecting the areas.
He said in managing waste systematically, all pig farms in Kampung Selamat had been sending their livestock waste to the biogas plant in Ampang Jajar for processing since May 4 this year.
The move was aimed at preventing pig waste from entering the environment, particularly the drainage system that flows into Sungai Kereh.
"This will help reduce pollution and minimise the foul smell affecting the surrounding area," he said.
H'ng was replying to an oral question from Bukhori Ghazali (PN-Pinang Tunggal) regarding the measures that have been taken and planned to address odour pollution in Sungai Kereh during the state assembly sitting on Friday (Oct 30).
He said the Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPVPP) would continue to monitor the transportation of pig waste to the biogas plant.
The department is carrying out weekly applications of Useful Microbes Activated Solution (UMAS) in public drains at Kampung Selamat to help control pollution and reduce odour.
He said RM6,000 had been allocated annually for the weekly application of the microbial solution.
Inspections and enforcement activities would continue to ensure pig farmers complied with the stipulated livestock waste management requirements.
On gas levels at the farms, H'ng said Regulation 25(2) of the Pig Farming Licensing Regulations (Penang) 2020 required ammonia concentrations in enclosed pig sheds to remain below 20 parts per million (ppm), while hydrogen sulphide levels must be below 5ppm.
He said measurements taken using gas detection equipment showed that the concentrations inside the enclosed sheds were within the permitted limits.
However, he stressed that these readings reflected gas levels inside the sheds and did not directly represent water quality or odour levels at Sungai Kereh.
The department would continue monitoring the situation and step up enforcement against farmers who failed to comply with the regulations.
