Pollution behind latest water cut traced to Indah Water plant in Rawang, says Selangor exco

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — The source of the latest case of pollution to Air Selangor’s water treatment plants is alleged to have originated from an Indah Water treatment plant in Rawang, Selangor executive councillor (exco) Hee Loy Sian revealed this afternoon.

The Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman, when answering Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, who questioned the status of the latest contamination, said preliminary investigations by authorities suggest the latest incident could have happened between 7am and 10am this morning.

“We found the location that polluted Sungai Selangor was from an Indah Water plant located in Taman Velox.

“It occurred in Rawang after the Sungai Gong reservoir,” he said referring to the contamination, adding that the disposed contaminant resembled traits of solvent.

Hee told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly this initial conclusion was made after Air Selangor’s readings of the four treatment plants showed neutral results as of 7am this morning, hours before the contamination was detected.

Hee said authorities have not ruled out possible sabotage, with the incident happening barely 24-hours after amendments were made to the Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) Enactment 1999 for heavier penalties to be given to polluters.

“We suspect there is a sabotage that could have happened; we will make a police report to find out who is the culprit,” he added.

Hee said he planned to visit the affected site personally to get a clearer picture of where and how the incident took place.

Earlier today, Air Selangor announced unscheduled water cuts to some 1,139,008 account holders from 6pm due contamination at four of its water treatment plants, namely Sungai Selangor Phase 1, 2 and 3 plants, and the Rantau Panjang plant.

The odour contamination was detected by the concessionaire at 12.45pm, with threshold odour number (TON) readings from Rantau Panjang registering at 8 TON while the water other treatment plants were at 4 TON, Air Selangor said in a statement.

This is the ninth time water supply in the Klang Valley has been disrupted this year.

Before this, 274 areas in Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat and Sepang were left without water for about two days from October 4, due to an odour pollution of Sungai Semenyih