By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Dec 24 — The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) has identified a liquid spill in an accident involving a lorry carrying a load of perfume oil along the Elite Highway in Negeri Sembilan to have caused the odour pollution detected in Sungai Semenyih.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said that the accident had taken place at KM 44.1 heading north on the Elite Highway near Bandar Serenia, Negeri Sembilan, which is located some 6 kilometres from the border of Selangor.
The pollution of the water source led to the temporary forced suspension of the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) at 2am and 6am this morning, respectively.
“Luas has activated the code red based on the Water Resource Pollution Emergency Manual for a thorough investigation in the involved area. The agency has increased static monitoring at a distance of 1.5 kilometres from the Jenderam Hilir intake with a frequency of every 15 minutes.
“As of 10.30 this morning, the smell is still detected in the river with a reading of 1 TON (threshold odour number). The WTPs can only operate again after a 0 TON reading has been recorded three times in a row at the intake,” he said in a statement today.
Hee said checks by Luas found that there is a residual liquid substance in the drain that flows into Sungai Limau Manis, which then flows into Sungai Semenyih.
He said that the state agency had placed three oil booms and an oil pad as a preventive measure and to prevent the further flow of contaminants.
“Luas has also placed 12 bags of activated carbon in Sungai Limau Manis to reduce the odour in the river before flowing into Sungai Semenyih,” he said.
Hee added that Luas has arranged for a cleaning contractor for the cleaning works of the pollution in Sungai Limau Manis, which is expected to complete around 5pm.
He said some 360 million litres per day (JLH) of water is also being released from the Semenyih Dam to dilute the Sungai Semenyih water and reduce the odour pollution.
“Luas, alongside other agencies involved, are actively implementing pollution mitigation actions to expedite the full reopening of the WTPs,” he added.
Earlier, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd announced that the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi WTPs were temporarily shut down following an odour pollution incident at Jenderam Hilir Raw Water Pump Station.
A total of 472 areas in five Selangor regions are expected to experience unscheduled water supply disruptions starting 7am today, namely Petaling (172 areas), Hulu Langat (54 areas), Sepang (196 areas), Putrajaya (23 areas) and Kuala Langat (27 areas).
