By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, July 23 — The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) has implemented rapid mitigation measures to prevent further pollution and dilute contaminated waters following the detection of acidic odour and foam discharge, which resulted in the temporary closure of four water treatment plants (WTPs) earlier today.
The incident, which caused supply disruption in several Klang Valley areas, affecting millions of residents, led the state water authority to launch an investigation against the factory responsible for the pollution, in accordance with Section 79(1) of the Luas Enactment 1999.
In a statement today, Luas said it traced the pollution to an acrylic material-processing factory, where it found a leaky tank causing poly methacrylic acid to spill into the drainage system and subsequently flow into Sungai Kuang.
Luas, in coordination with the Selangor Environment Department (JAS) and the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), ordered the factory to halt its discharge and undertake clean-up efforts.
JAS and MPS will also take action against the factory involved.
Luas said after the pollution was detected, it immediately placed three bags of activated carbon (AC) downstream to neutralise the odour, and initiated static monitoring in Sungai Kundang as a preventive measure.
It also increased the monitoring frequency in Sungai Sembah and Sungai Selangor to every 30 minutes.
[caption id="attachment_365123" align="aligncenter" width="1039"]
Selangor Water Management Authority personnel emptying bags of activated carbon into a drain near Sungai Sembah and Sungai Selangor, after an acidic odour and foam discharged was detected nearby, which resulted in the suspension of operations of the Rantau Panjang, Sungai Selangor Phases 1, 2, and 3 water treatment plants, on July 23, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/LEMBAGA URUS AIR SELANGOR[/caption]
“Despite these efforts, the spill entered nearby rivers, with an acidic odour detected by Luas’ static team in Sungai Kundang at 1.30am and in Sungai Sembah at 4.30am.
“To counteract this, Luas opened river barrage gates and began pumping raw water from the KL Larut and Horas (Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System) 600 alternative ponds to increase the dilution in Sungai Selangor, to expedite the flow of contaminants past the intake areas of critical WTPs.
“Further measures include placing and adding a total of 59 AC bags — approximately 1.47 tonnes — in Sungai Kuang, Sungai Kundang and Sungai Sembah.
“Additionally, water was released from Sungai Selangor Dam and Sungai Tinggi Dam to further enhance dilution and accelerate the downstream flow past the treatment plant intake areas,” said the statement.
Luas said the state government will not compromise with any party found polluting water sources, and that strict action will be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Luas Enactment 1999.
Earlier today, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd announced seven regions in the Klang Valley were hit by an unscheduled water supply disruption.
This is after the operations of the Rantau Panjang WTP and Sungai Selangor Phases 1, 2, and 3 (SSP1, SSP2, and SSP3) WTPs were suspended due to odour pollution in Sungai Kundang and Sungai Sembah.
The areas affected are Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor.
[caption id="attachment_365124" align="aligncenter" width="1169"]
Selangor Water Management Authority personnel emptying bags of activated carbon into a river stream near Sungai Sembah and Sungai Selangor, after an acidic odour and foam discharged was detected nearby, which resulted in the suspension of operations of the Rantau Panjang, Sungai Selangor Phases 1, 2, and 3 water treatment plants, on July 23, 2024. — Picture via FACEBOOK/LEMBAGA URUS AIR SELANGOR[/caption]
