Perak Water Board (LAP) has been ordered to shut down its Ayer Ganda Water Treatment Plant immediately, following the discovery of arsenic in treated water channeled to 1,500 people at Kampung Ayer Ganda, Gerik, in the state.
The water treated there comes from Sungai Rui, which was found to contain high levels of heavy metal, said National Water Services Commission (Span) chairperson Charles Santiago.
He also revealed that Span was first alerted about the arsenic exposure on Jan 9 by the Health Ministry, which conducts monthly check at all water treatment plants, and instructed LAP to take action.
The commission then instructed the state water operator to take several actions, including shutting down the treatment plant, if needed.
While noting that readings in February showed no arsenic contamination, he said the arsenic was back in the following month.
"We wrote to LAP to immediately close down the water treatment plant on April 9," he told media at Parliament lobby today.
He said Span was forced to issue the order after LAP failed to resolve the arsenic polluted water supply problem, adding that the commission would not compromise on public health issue.
"Arsenic is a known carcinogen and poison that especially (affects) children and pregnant women," he said.
The Klang MP also urged the Health Ministry to conduct health checks on the 1,500 people in the village who may have been directly or indirectly affected by the arsenic polluted water supply.
"As for the polluted Sungai Rui, we urge the Agriculture and Agro-base Industry Ministry to inspect the fishes and vegetables there," he said.
Possible negligence
Santiago also said that Span will look into the possible negligence involving the water operator.
"We will now look at the law. We will file charges against them (LAP) if there was a oversight on their part.
"I want to tell all water operators in the country - do not play around with the issue of the public health," he said.
It was reported earlier this month that low levels of arsenic were found in water samples taken from Sungai Rui back in 2016.
Yesterday, it was reported that Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu will head a task force to investigate arsenic poisoning in Sungai Rui.
The menteri besar has confirmed the presence of heavy metal, including arsenic, in the river and said that pH levels there were high.
He said studies found that arsenic appears naturally in the Hulu Perak district, perhaps due to mining activities, soil erosion and farming. - Mkini
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