An expert from a water concessionaire company said the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) should intervene and conduct an independent water sampling test on mining ponds which are being relied upon as an alternative source of water supply.

“All this while, the state government, through the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), has said water from the ponds is safe. But mining pools do contain harmful materials, including metal and toxic substances, and as you go deeper into extraction you will reach more of such unhealthy minerals,” the expert said.

“The fact that it hasn’t been raining makes the situation worse as these substances cannot be diluted or flushed out and the quality of the water being extracted may pose a threat.”

While the authorities had in the past said the water quality at the mining pools was safe, tests should be carried out to ensure the water was indeed safe.

“SPAN, as a regulator, should intervene and not blindly accept or endorse water sampling tests which are being made public by the state government,” said the expert

“Why is SPAN not conducting any independent studies to ensure the water quality is safe? They should also be checking on the water levels in the dams but they have failed to do so.”

The expert insisted that SPAN had all the powers under the law to carry out such checks and act on the impeding water crisis in the state.

It had the power to advise the energy, green technology and water minister to intervene.

“It is baffling that to date SPAN and the minister do not appear to be concerned over the matter which is affecting nearly 60 per cent of the population in the Klang Valley,” the expert said.

A non-governmental organisation also criticised SPAN over the water crisis, claiming it should respond independently to the issue without being told what to do by a higher authority.

“The Guild of Bumiputra Contractors is concerned over the water shortage as it  impacts development projects in Selangor and will directly cause inconvenience to all involved,” its chairman, Datuk Mohd Said Mat Saman, said.

“The situation is getting critical day by day and it is crucial for SPAN to play its role by executing the appropriate measures.”

Mohd Said described the situation as “worrying” as SPAN had not made any decision to plan a water rationing exercise and was merely waiting for a request to do so by the Selangor government.

“As a body that advises the energy, green technology and water minister as an independent regulator, SPAN can act independently from the Selangor government,” he said.

“Why has SPAN not done its job? If it refuses to prioritise water users by not taking proactive measures, we urge the prime minister and the minister to liquidate the commission as it is not doing its job.”

Mohd Said said SPAN needed to realise that the depleting water level at the Sungai Selangor dam would interfere with business and industrial developments on a large scale.

“SPAN had said last week it is awaiting a decision from the state government and LUAS to resolve the matter. As a water regulator, SPAN should not be ignoring requests from other NGOs as well as LUAS itself regarding the issue,” he said

“We urge SPAN to detach from political issues in Selangor and prioritise the users as water supplies are crucial to the rapid development of the state. Every user has a right to a supply of water.”

Asked if it would intervene, a SPAN spokesman declined to comment, saying a statement would be released at the appropriate time.