ENOUGH of this nonsense of oil spills and illegal dumping of waste into rivers. The entire Selangor government, from the menteri besar and executive committees to municipal councillors, must take collective responsibility for the diesel pollution in Sg Selangor that caused the shutdown of four water treatment plants in the state mere days ago.

Just last week, my piece, titled “Foresight failings and deaths in disasters”, mentioned in passing previous incidents of chemical waste dumped into water catchment areas, and was aimed at arousing a sense of vigilance among politicians and government officials, who appear to lack readiness in discharging their responsibilities.

To have two pollution incidents within just a week is alarming and confirms incompetency, a lacklustre attitude and a lack of foresight among politicians and officials in Selangor. In the first incident, a foul odour was detected at a river in Batang Kali that serves as a raw water source for Sg Selangor. The second incident saw a diesel spill in Sg Selangor, purportedly by a state government-owned mining company. Both incidents affected more than a million households, and businesses, too.

Blaming possible sabotage appears to be a convenient, veiled attempt at covering officials’ failure to ensure enforcement and monitoring at water catchment areas. In the first place, diesel, which contains benzene, should not be stored in the vicinity of rivers that flow into water catchment areas. If it is unavoidable, great care and precaution much be taken to prevent spills. Even if the diesel spill last week was due to sabotage, it does not absolve politicians, especially the menteri besar and exco concerned, of their responsibilities. Tasks and duties can be delegated, but not responsibilities.

Chemical and industrial pollutants in rivers are health hazards that have serious ramifications. Our water treatment plants are able to remove suspended particles, turbidity and dissolved iron, reduce odour, and kill bacteria. Most dissolved chemicals from industrial waste cannot be removed, and are often not detected. As such, industrial pollutants dissolved in water, when discharged into rivers or water catchment areas, will eventually make their way into our homes and the food chain.

Industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides are most harmful to the ecosystem and human health. Heavy metals, like lead, arsenic and mercury, can damage the central nervous system, kidney and liver, and cause metabolic dysfunction. The organophosphates in pesticides are carcinogenic, and can harm the reproductive and endocrine systems. Nitrates from agricultural run-offs, when excessive, are harmful and can cause “blue baby” syndrome. Benzene is very dangerous, with the ability to cause cancer even at low exposure levels. The effects of such pollutants are not immediate. Symptoms of a disease may surface after long periods of exposure and have a chronic effect.

River pollution that affects the quality of our potable water contributes to an extensive burden of disease, which is measured in “DALY”, or disability-adjusted life years, lost. In other words, the years of potential life lost due to premature mortality, and the years of premature life lost due to disability. Due to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene, the World Health Organisation’s estimate for Malaysia’s DALY loss in 2006 alone was 58 million hours. That aggregate of 58 millions hours lost due to unsafe drinking water was also a loss in productivity.

We have the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to prevent, abate and control pollution, but the act remains merely a cleverly drafted document if not applied and enforcement is poor. The Environment Department has control and oversight, through the issuance of licences, to determine the conditions for the use, storage and discharging of waste. Local authorities at the state, district and municipal levels have the power to issue business licences, therefore, they also have the responsibility to keep rivers safe and clean.

Chemical spills and the illegal dumping of waste into our rivers have happened far too often. Incompetency, irresponsibility, a lacklustre attitude, and poor monitoring and enforcement on the part of those entrusted with making sure these incidents do not happen have failed us. The people want drastic action to stop river pollution. – July 25, 2019.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.