NINETEEN chemical barrels were found on Sungai Langat river reserve land in Taman Sri Reko, Kajang, Selangor.
Thirteen were 160l barrels believed to contain solvent while six others were 5l barrels believed to contain thinner.
However, no traces of the chemicals were found in the water body close to the site.
State environment, green technology, tourism and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said residents nearby spotted the barrels a few days ago and reported the matter to Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
The area was an illegal waste dumping site which had been cleared, he said, and possibly used as a chemical dumping ground now.
“These chemicals are possible river pollutants and should be disposed of as per the Environmental Act 1974.
“The area has been sealed and the Environment Department will clear the site.
The clothing factory operating from a shop in Kajang Perdana. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
“The barrels were only 10m away from Sungai Langat and close to Semenyih 2 and Bukit Tampoi water treatment plants, which were about 13km and 24km away, respectively, ” he noted.
He added that Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) confirmed that no solvent odour was detected in Sungai Langat, hence no stop-work order or water supply disruption took place.
“The case will be investigated under Luas (Amendment) 2020 Bill, whereby the party found guilty of causing water pollution must serve a mandatory jail sentence of not more than two years and pay a fine of between RM200,000 and RM1mil, among others, ” said Hee.
He also called for the public to alert Luas, via email at aduan@luas.gov.my or WhatsApp 019-264 7904, if they came across any water polluting activity.
He highlighted that whistleblowers stood to receive a RM20,000 reward if the complaint was true and the culprits were found guilty in court.
Although there had been no water disruption this year, Hee said there were seven incidents which could have led to it.
“The alarm was raised thrice in Sungai Gong, twice in Sungai Semenyih and once each in Sungai Chinchang and Sungai Kabul for reasons such as odour pollution, discharge of forbidden effluent, frothing, discolouration and floating substance.”
Dye stains are all over the toilet walls and floor of the clothing factory.
He also visited a clothing factory operating from several shoplots in Kajang Perdana, which was found to be discharging its wastewater into the sewerage system through the shops’ toilets.
“The liquid used in the clothing dye was flushed directly down the toilets.
“It is believed that the factory has been operating for the last 10 years.
“Such operations should not be housed in commercial shoplots.
“MPKj has sealed the premises, ” he said, adding that the business licence would be revoked and the owner compounded.
“The National Water Service Commission (SPAN) will take further action according to the law, ” Hee elaborated.
SPAN enforcement director Ainal Yusman Mohamad Yusop said if the business owner was found guilty of discharging prohibited effluent into the public sewer, “he shall be liable to a fine of not more than RM100,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both, upon conviction.” - Star
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