Water pollution in Sg Kecil traced to food processing premises, says Luas

Enforcement officers inspecting Sungai Kecil, Kampung Rinching, Kajang upon receiving information about it being polluted.

KAJANG: Effluent from a food processing operation is believed to have caused water pollution in Sungai Kecil, Kampung Rinching, here, on Tuesday (Oct 31).

According to a statement from Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas), white-coloured, frothy, and smelly water was detected in Sungai Kecil at around 11am on Tuesday.

An immediate inspection conducted found that the foam was formed through the water turbulence that occurred in a nearby drain.

Luas conducted an in-situ water sampling around the Tok Tahir bridge near Sungai Kecil which showed a high degree of pollution.

Enforcement officers taking water samples from polluted Sungai Kecil, Kampung Rinching, Kajang during their site inspection.

Following this, a joint investigation involving Luas, the Selangor Environment Department (DOE), and Kajang Municipal Council was launched in the nearby industrial area of Bandar Tasik Kesuma.

“That is where we identified the food processing premises which was suspected to have released frothy effluent from its final release point to a nearby drain.

“This is based on the white foam discovered at the outer sump of the premises. It smells like mushroom stew.

“Luas has immediately ordered the premises to stop all activities that require water and release of effluent.

“Further investigations in the area found that the water in Sungai Kecil has returned to normal after the activities were halted,” said Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin in the statement.

Water in Sungai Kecil, Kampung Rinching, Kajang is filled with white foam allegedly due to the release of effluent by a nearby food processing premise.

Jamaliah added that all the water samples collected will be sent to the Chemistry Department for further analysis.

“The swift action taken by the state enforcement agencies has successfully ensured that no risk is posed to the operations of a water treatment plant, which is located around 15km away from the polluted river.

“Selangor DOE has issued an order to halt the operations of the involved premises. Luas will also open an investigation paper on the case based on Section 79(1) of the Luas Enactment 1999.

“The state government will not compromise with any parties who pollute the state water source. Strict actions will be taken on the perpetrators based on the Luas Enactment 1999,” Jamaliah added.

Section 79 (1) of the Luas Enactment 1999 provides penalties ranging from RM200,000 and RM1mil and a mandatory imprisonment of not less than three years upon conviction.