THE National Water Services Commission (Span) will investigate and take action against responsible for the odour pollution in the Sungai Selangor raw water source, causing three of Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) water treatment plants to be shut down on Friday.

In a statement today, Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said Span would head up the investigation, in accordance with the Water Services Industry Act 2006.

“Span, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage and Indah Water Konsortium have been accelerating the recovery, including identifying sources of the pollution through tests conducted in Batang Kali, Selangor on Saturday,” he said.

Last Friday, Air Selangor had to shut down three major water treatment plants – Sungai Selangor 1, 2 and 3 – as well as the Rantau Panjang water treatment plant to prevent polluted water passing to consumers.

Almost 5 million users around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were affected by the shutdown.

Xavier explained that by 12pm today, 94% of the recovery work had been complete, with full recovery expected by Wednesday, July 24.

He also urged all government agencies, especially the local authorities, to monitor riverbanks.

“If the local authorities are more aware of any suspicious activity that has taken place in their area, these incidents can be avoided and will certainly not burden the consumers,” he said.

Xavier also called for the authorities to seize any premises suspected of contributing to river pollution and take legal action against the culprits.

He also suggested agencies such as the Department of Environment continuously audit and enforce regulations along rivers nationwide.

“All parties and agencies should play a role in preventing anything that could harm our rivers, the nation’s main raw water source. The task of conserving water resources is everyone’s civic duty,” he said. – Bernama, July 21, 2019.