NILAI Industrial Estate in Negri Sembilan is believed to be the source of the pollution of Sg Semenyih, which resulted in the closure of the two water treatment plants (LRA) since yesterday afternoon

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said initial investigations found the polluted water was flowing to Sg Semenyih from Sg Batang Benar, which runs close to the industrial area.

“We have to wait for the odour pollution to subside before the plants can operate again. For now, we are not sure how long (it will take) because we are still investigating the cause,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari after attending a briefing by Air Selangor offiicals at the Sg Semenyih LRA water pump station at Jenderam Hilir, Sepang, late yesterday.

As a result of closure of the water treatment plants, water supply is disrupted for more than 300,000 consumer accounts in the Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat and Sepang districts.

Tuan Ibrahim said water samples of Sg Semenyih measured 4 TON (threshold odour number) at 4.30pm yesterday and rose to 11 TON at 9pm.

“It is difficult for us to predict whether it (TON) will increase further, as long as the root cause has not been identified and stopped. The colour (of the river water) is also turning murky,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim promised the culprit responsible for the pollution would be shut down and facing legal action.

Meanwhile, Amirudin said the Negri Sembilan government as well as the state’s Department of Environment had been contacted over the matter.

“Sg Batang Benar is a tributary of Sg Pajam, and from Sg Pajam, water flows into Sg Semenyih. The distance is about 30km, and it (pollution) is now not only cross-district but also cross-state,” he said.

As a mid-term solution, he said the Selangor government was in talks with the Environment and Water Ministry to tap Putrajaya Lake for water in the event of a supply disruption in the state.

“We calculated that (water from Putrajaya Lake) can last us about seven days . With the minister’s commitment, we hope to overcome the problem and we are ready to discuss the costs,” said Amirudin.  – Bernama, October 5, 2020.