Dead fish pile up at Sg Penchala after effluents flow into river

 

Piles of dead fish were spotted at Sungai Penchala in Section 14 of Petaling Jaya, Selangor yesterday, after effluent pollution was detected in the river.

The Environment and Water Ministry said the unprocessed effluents originated from the equalisation tank of a premise located on Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim.

The ministry did not name the factory, but Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad said the contamination incident happened “adjacent to its factory”.

“The Environment and Water Ministry has instructed the premise owner to stop operations and take remedial action immediately,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Selangor Environment Department (DOE) conducted checks following public complaints at 8am yesterday, it said.

The Selangor DOE also issued a compound to the factory for failure to ensure its effluent system was working efficiently.

“An investigation paper has been opened under Section 25(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974,” it said.

The Selangor DOE has taken water samples for its investigations while Petaling District Fisheries Department has sampled the dead fish and are investigating the cause of death.

Meanwhile, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad said it is cooperating with investigating authorities on the matter.

“Our management takes allegations of river pollution very seriously and has launched an internal query according to our Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) standard operating procedures,” it said in a statement on Twitter.

It is also waiting for results of tests done on water samples taken by the Selangor DOE, it said.

Yesterday morning, Twitter user @Pulotoi posted photos and videos of dead fish piling up on the river bank, and alleged the effluents came from the Dutch Lady factory.

He also said that the river was clear and safe for fishing prior to the pollution incident.

- Mkini