SPAN wants report on accident which delayed water supply

CYBERJAYA: Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) has been instructed to submit an audit report on last week’s surge vessel system burst at the Sungai Selangor Phase 3 Water Treatment Plant (LRA SSP3) to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

SPAN chairman Liang Teck Meng said the report should be submitted no later than March 23 in order for the commission to get complete information on the actual cause of the incident which prolonged the water supply disruption in the Klang Valley and affected some 2.8 million users.

He said the submission of the report was also in line with SPAN’s formation of a special committee to investigate the cause of the surge vessel system burst at the LRA SSP3 in Ijok on March 6.

“We must first obtain an audit report from Splash before a thorough investigation can be conducted and the form of action against the parties involved can be decided,” he told a press conference at the SPAN’s office here today.

In the meantime, Liang lambasted certain Selangor government leaders for frequently levelling allegations at SPAN and alleging the incident was a result of SPAN’s failure in carrying out its duties to oversee and supervise the LRA SSP3.

He said on Feb 5, SPAN visited LRA SSP3 to do an audit on the pump system at the plant after finding a significant drop in the water level in January-end.

Following that, he said a letter was sent to Splash on Feb 15, asking the company to expedite the maintenance work on the pump system at the LRA SSP3, thus proving there was no element of sabotage in the incident.

Nevertheless, Liang noted the Selangor government had the right to take action against Splash or three other water concessionaires in the state, in accordance with the agreement sealed by them.

He also stressed that SPAN was not involved in the agreement between the Selangor government and Splash as alleged by certain parties, especially leaders of the state government.

“We expect the water issue to be prolonged if the Selangor Government does not immediately conclude the takeover process of Splash which has been delayed several times,” he said. -FMT