MANY rivers in Malaysia have become cleaner due to the Covid-19 lockdown. However, Selangor River continues to be polluted, as can be seen in the water supply disruptions in many areas since the beginning of the year.
Pollution is expected to worsen with the lifting of the lockdown as factories, SMEs and commercial enterprises clean up their premises after more than a month of inactivity. Various types of chemicals, oils, powders, paints, food products and other materials that have turned bad or gone to waste could be dumped in the drains or rivers leading to water catchment areas if the authorities are not vigilant.