Sungai Lipis turns orange following sludge release from mining site

 

The release of sludge from a retention pond at an iron ore mining site upstream of Sungai Bekil near Batu Talam caused the Sungai Lipis water at the Sengkela Bridge to turn orange yesterday.

RAUB: The release of sludge from a retention pond at an iron ore mining site upstream of Sungai Bekil near Batu Talam caused the Sungai Lipis water at the Sengkela Bridge to turn orange yesterday.

The river has since returned to normal, is no longer orange, and remains safe for aquatic life.

Pahang Department of Environment (DoE) director Zakaria Ahmad @ Mohd said on-site testing at the affected area found the river's turbidity level to be 75.48 NTU, exceeding the permissible limit of 50 NTU for Class Two water sources.

"Based on inspections conducted along Sungai Lipis, we found that only Sungai Bekil, which is located near the iron ore mining area, was turbid.

"Investigations revealed that sludge was released from the retention pond, and traces of the sludge were observed during the inspection.

"The sludge overflow into the river was also confirmed by the mining operator," he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, several images showing Sungai Lipis at the bridge turning orange circulated on social media, raising public concern over possible land-clearing activities upstream.

Zakaria said that despite the river becoming turbid, the pH readings remained within normal levels and were safe for aquatic life.

"All findings from the investigation will be forwarded to the Pahang Minerals and Geoscience Department for further action.

"DoE will continue to monitor the river's water quality regularly and cooperate with relevant departments and agencies," he said.

Members of the public can lodge environmental pollution-related complaints through the toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-2727, by email at aduan_k@doe.gov.my, or through the DoE complaints portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my. - NST