Selangor Journal
Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) personnel placing bags of activated carbon at the location of the odour pollution, some 1.5km from the Jenderam Hilir raw water pump station at Dengkil, Selangor, on December 31, 2022. — Picture by FACEBOOK/LEMBAGA URUS AIR SELANGOR

Odour pollution at Jenderam Hilir water station, Sg Semenyih WTP temporarily shut down

By Jerry Choong

SHAH ALAM, Dec 31 — The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) has detected odour pollution at a static monitoring location 1.5km from the Jenderam Hilir raw water pump station intake earlier this evening and is currently monitoring the developing situation.

In a statement, it said Air Selangor has been informed of any potential occurrences, and to prepare the water treatment plants (WTP) in the eventuality of ceasing operations. Luas has also taken several proactive steps to ameliorate the situation.

“Luas is closely monitoring the situation, conducting odour sampling every 15 minutes. The odour was detected at 6.30pm, with the latest reading at 8.45pm recording one Threshold Odor Number (TON).

“A quick check of the December 24 accident scene has determined six TON. As such, Luas has increased the amount of activated carbon at the location and begun close monitoring of Sungai Limau Manis which flows into Sungai Smiling,” it said.

The discovery of the six TON followed in the wake of heavy rainfall earlier this afternoon, in which the waste stream was stuck or became absorbed into the surroundings of the spill that occurred on December 24.

This also affected the river line outside of Selangor’s areas by dissolving into it, combined with rainwater runoff that subsequently flowed into Sungai Semenyih.

“With current weather conditions and the rapid flow of the river, the pollution is expected to be flushed out or diluted within the next three to four hours.

“The Negeri Sembilan Environmental Department and PLUS Berhad have been informed to take immediate control at the location. PLUS has also been asked to immediately suck up the rest of the flow at the location of the accident. Further developments will be provided from time to time.

In a separate statement, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd said the Sungai Semenyih WTP was shut down at 9pm tonight.

“A list of areas that are expected to be impacted will be shared soon. Air Selangor will provide updates progressively from time to time through all mediums, especially the mass media.

“Consumers can also refer to all our official communication channels such as the Air Selangor app, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or call the Air Selangor Contact Centre at 15300. Inquiries and complaints can also be submitted at the Help Centre via www.airselangor.com and the Air Selangor app,” it said.

The accident on December 24 involved a lorry carrying a load of perfume oil along the Elite Highway in Negeri Sembilan, which occurred at KM 44.1 heading north near Bandar Serenia, some six kilometres from the border of Selangor.

The accident resulted in an unscheduled water disruption due to the temporary shutdowns of the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi Water Treatment Plants (WTPs).

This led Air Selangor to mobilise 85 water tankers to 472 areas in five regions in the Klang Valley that were affected. Water supply subsequently resumed the following day.

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