SHAH ALAM, Oct 31 — Swift action taken by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) and the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) at Sungai Kuang has prevented another water disruption incident in Selangor today.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the contamination took place yesterday after a fire broke out at a plastic processing factory near the upper stream of the river.
“An odour pollution level of 3 TON (Threshold Odour Number) was detected at Sungai Kuang during the Op Sumber Air operation conducted by Luas at around 10pm last night.
“Luas and Air Selangor (Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd) have taken the necessary actions to contain the odour and have placed 43 bags of activated carbon at the affected area, thus preventing the pollution from causing an unscheduled water cut,” said Hee in a statement today.
He said the closest water treatment plant is the Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plant, which is located 33km away from the affected area.
According to him, the fire incident took place at 6pm and was alerted by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department. The fire at the factory was extinguished at around 4.30am.
“Based on the investigation by Luas and Air Selangor, remnants from the fire were found on the water surface, but black components from the fire have flowed into the upper streams of Sungai Kuang.
“As of now, Luas, Air Selangor and MPS are in the process of stopping the fire remnants from flowing into the river by setting up a river bund at the site,” he said, adding that mitigative follow-ups and surveillance efforts have been stepped up and will be carried out by Luas and other involved parties from time to time.
Following the incident, the factory has been issued a Water Protection Order under Section 122 of the Luas Enactment 1999 regarding the risks and threats posed by the incident to the quality of water sources.
