A CRASH involving a lorry carrying a load of perfume oil at Km44.1 northbound of the North-South Expressway Central Link (Elite) near Bandar Serenia, Negri Sembilan, caused the closure of the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi water treatment plants (LRA) this morning.

Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the Selangor Water Management Board (LUAS) found that the distance between the crash site and the Semenyih LRA was 6.4km, and 18km to the Bukit Tampoi LRA.

He said LUAS activated “Code Red” based on the water resource pollution emergency manual to carry out thorough inspections.

“As of 10.30am, the smell of the oil was still detected in the river with a reading of one ton,” he said in a statement today.

“Therefore, the LRA can only operate again after a reading of zero ton has been recorded three times in a row.”

Hee said the lorry was towed away while the container was in the process of being moved.

He said the Fire and Rescue Department and the contractor carried out early prevention work by installing barriers and cleaning to contain the effects of the spill.

He said LUAS also placed three oil booms and a box full of oil pads at the location as a preventive measure, besides placing 12 bags of activated carbon in Sungai Limau Manis to reduce the odour in the river.

“The cleaning work is expected to be completed by 5pm today,” he said. – Bernama, December 24, 2022.