By Amin Ridzuan Ishak
SHAH ALAM, Oct 4 — The quick action of the authorities in detecting effluents discharged from a bread factory into Sungai Balak has averted an incident of pollution that could lead to dry pipes for the people in the Klang Valley.
The exco for the environment, Hee Loy Sian, said Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) had detected traces of oil in effluents released some 16 kilometres from the water intake point of the Semenyih Water Treatment Plant (WTP) 2, at the Bukit Tampoi WTP and the Labohan Dagang WTP.
According to Hee, Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) issued a stop-work order at the Bukit Tampoi WTP at 12 midnight due to the pollution. It then activated the water supply at the alternative WTP at Sungai Semenyih for clean water, before allowing the Bukit Tampoi WTP to resume operations at 9am the next morning.
Hee added that Luas had utilised two oil-dispersant systems and 50 units of oil absorbent pads to control the effluents from spreading to a wider area of Sungai Balak. It has also taken water samples from three different locations to send to the Department of Chemistry for analysis.
Initial findings based on water samples tested by Luas and Air Selangor found traces of cooking oil.
“Further water samples collected from Sungai Langat tested negative for odour pollution and the river’s flow is also normal,” Hee said in a press statement today.
Hee added that investigations by the Selangor Department of Environment found that the pollution occured after a tanker carrying margarine suffered a mishap in Kampung Balakong Baru, resulting in the margarine being discharged into a nearby drain.
The factory involved has been asked to stop its operations, build a sand divider in the said drain and clean up the spill.
“The Kajang Municipal Council has also issued a compound to the factory for disposing of its spilled margarine into a public drainage system. The factory’s license will be suspended until all cleanup works are completed.
Hee said the state government will not compromise on matters concerning the environment and those found guilty of pollution can be imprisoned for up to three years and face a fine of up to RM1 million, according to Section 79 of the Luas Enactment 1999.
