Effluent Release Causes Water To Smell

post by Susanne Chi

Bernama, March 2, 2006

SHAH ALAM, March 2 (Bernama) -- The release of effluent from industrial and animal rearing activities as well as discharge from garbage disposal sites and sewage ponds were identified as the cause of pollution at Sungai Selangor resulting in the pungent smell of water in several areas in the state and Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

Selangor Infrastructure and Public Utility Committee Chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said among industries located along Sungai Selangor were palm oil and rubber-based factories while the animal waste came from cattle farms.

He said investigation papers were being prepared by the Department of Environment and, when completed, would be submitted to the Attorney-General's office for further action.

"Those responsible for causing the pollution cannot escape because there is proof through the samples taken," he told a press conference here Thursday.

Abdul Fatah said the water quality had returned to normal.

"The water does not smell (bad) anymore," he added.

To prevent the recurrence of such incident, Abdul Fatah said a report on water quality would be submitted three times a day to the Water Monitoring Department and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).

"If there is any abrupt change in water quality, either in its smell, colour or contents, immediate action can be taken to rectify the situation," he added.