THE second case of pollution in Sg Selangor that caused the shutdown of four water treatment plants yesterday has been traced to sand mining upstream, said the National Water Services Commission (Span).

Chairman Charles Santiago, in a statement, said the regulator lodged a police report at 10am today over the incident, as well as an earlier one involving the same river.

“We have lodged a police report over the two incidents that caused water treatment plants to close on July 19 and 21. Two incidents in three days are very worrying for Span.

“The first incident involved a strong odour that caused the closure of the plants on Friday, July 19.

“The second incident was due to diesel pollution as a result of sand mining upstream. The four plants were again forced to stop operations last night, just as water supply levels were being restored to 97%.

“We hope police will investigate for elements of sabotage.”

Earlier today, Selangor government-owned mining company Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd said it detected the diesel spill at Kolam Hang Tuah in Sg Selangor about 6.15pm yesterday.

It did not say whether the spill occurred in an area where its mining activities are conducted, but said it “regrets” the incident.

Santiago urged the state government to stop sand miners’ concessions if it is proven that such mining was behind the pollution.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar has asked police to investigate the two cases.

Santiago said Span is empowered to take action against offenders under the Water Industry Services Act.

He called on the Environment Department and Hulu Selangor district council to act swiftly. – July 22, 2019.