By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, April 17 — Fish breeding ponds were found to have caused the odour pollution at the raw water source in Sungai Selangor, which forced four water treatment plants to temporarily shut down.
Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the breeding ponds were also the source of pollution in the river on February 13, which was detected early.
“Once the source of pollution was detected, the authorities had raided the breeding ponds.
“A worker who was asleep was detained while the others had managed to flee the scene,” he said during a press conference at his official residence here today.
Amirudin said the raid involved the Selayang Municipal Council, Gombak District and Land Office, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) and Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas).
He said stern action will be taken against the owner for continuing its operation after it was ordered to close since February.
The water treatment plants in Sungai Selangor (LRA), Phase 1 (SSP1), Phase 2 (SSP2), Phase 3 (SSP3) and Rantau Panjang were forced to cease operations at 11pm yesterday to flush out the contaminated water downstream of Sungai Selangor.
Although the treatment plants had resumed operations at 6.30am this morning, unscheduled water disruption is expected in several areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat, which is expected to be solved by noon today.
Amirudin said the state administration will provide water supply assistance to the affected areas if the water level remains low.
“This is the third water pollution incident during the movement control order (MCO) and we will take strict action against the people behind it,” he stressed.
