The Malaysian Insight

THE unauthorised disposal of waste into a sewerage system caused the disruption at the Sg Semenyih water treatment plant, said Hee Loy Sian.

The state Environment, Green Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation and Consumer Affairs executive councillor said today the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) had received a report from Pengurusan Air Selangor on odour pollution at the Sg Semenyih raw water source.

“The odour was detected yesterday 1.5km from the Sg Semenyih plant.

“The authorities found that the odour was also emanating from Bangi Villa, and that it stemmed from the nearby Sg Beranang,” he said.

Foul odour was also detected at Bukit Mahkota’s Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), he said.

He said the water supply had been cut to enable Luas to carry out “in situ and ex situ” analysis on samples at IWK.

He said the authorities had carried out checks on the plant’s manhole system in Bandar Bukit Mahkota. 

“Investigations found that the waste may have been disposed of somewhere in this area, as the strong odour emanated from a manhole.”

He said activated carbon had been added into water supply about 3am, reducing the foul smell in the area. 

“Following the heavy rainfall in Sg Semenyih, the odour has now decreased.”

He said the authorities would work with Luas to identify the culprits and take appropriate action.

Water treatment at the plant resumed at 6.30am today after it was shut down yesterday evening.

Earlier today, Air Selangor customer relations and communications chief Abdul Raof Ahmad said treated water levels would be increased in stages.

“We are still in the process of increasing the level of our water reserves, distribution systems and service tanks at areas affected by the disruption,” Raof said.

The shutdown disrupted water supply to more than 370,000 people in four Selangor districts.

Pengurusan Air Selangor said the treatment plant’s shutdown would affect its supply to 204 areas in Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat and Sepang. – September 29, 2019.