Selangor Journal
The oil spills from raw palm oil factory in Semenyih. — Picture by FACEBOOK/LUAS

Swift action by Luas on palm oil spills prevent unscheduled water cuts

SHAH ALAM, June 15 — Swift action by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) following oil spills traced from a raw palm oil factory in Semenyih has managed to avert unscheduled water cuts.

State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said at 7pm yesterday, Luas received a report of the incident at a location which is 15.9km away from the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

“Luas activated Code Yellow under the Selangor State Water Resources Pollution Emergency Manual for a comprehensive investigation on the areas which could potentially compromise the Sungai Semenyih WTP.

“Part of the containment initiative include placing four bags of activated carbon in the water flow area from the factory to prevent pollution from entering Sungai Rinching,” Hee said in a statement today.

He added that Luas also placed oil booms to minimise and reduce the flow of oil spills from entering Sungai Rinching and making its way into Sungai Semenyih.

“Clean up works to take out the remaining stagnant oil in the flow area is expected to complete within 24 hours.

“Luas will perform static monitoring in Sungai Rinching and follow-up monitoring of the cleaning work that is being carried out.

“Based on Luas static monitoring until 5am today (June 15) in Sungai Rinching and Sungai Semenyih, the odour sampling recorded a level of zero TON (threshold odour number) and the river flow was normal,” he said.

Hee said Luas will issue the factory with 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.

“Under Section 79 of the Luas (Amended) Enactment 2020, for the prohibition of pollution of water resources, is a fine of between RM200,000 and RM1 million and jailed up to three years, upon conviction,” he said.

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