Industrial waste not cause of Sungai Buah pollution - DoE

The Department of Environment (DoE) confirms no chemicals or harmful substances were released into Sungai Buah that caused the temporary closure of Sungai Semenyih water treatment plant.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had earlier claimed that water pollution in the river, which flows into Sungai Semenyih water treatment plant, led to water supply disruption in the state.

DoE director Norhazni Mat Sari said only 14 out of 59 factories in Nilai had released waste into the river but all discharges were within regulations.

"The main focus of our integrated investigation is to determine the cause of pollution in Sungai Buah. We have taken into account all aspects including the lorry tank accident at KM46.2 on the ELITE expressway, sabotage elements, scheduled waste disposal and effluent discharge compliance among factories.

"Investigations by the Negeri Sembilan DoE found that the release of chemical effluents from Nilai industrial area complied with the department's standards," Norhazni said at a meeting between the state and factory management representatives from Nilai earlier today.

READ: Ministry recommends SOP review for water treatment plant operators

She also denied claims that factory waste was the cause of water pollution in Sungai Buah. The department, however, said it will continue to monitor scheduled waste disposal from factories around Nilai.

The department had also collected soil samples from ELITE expressway where an accident involving a lorry tank occurred on Oct 22.

The sample had been sent to the Chemical Department for detailed examination with results expected soon.

Mohamed Azmin was reported as saying there was evidence of water pollution in Sungai Semenyih that showed "tendency to sabotage' by BN and UMNO in order to weaken the state government ahead of the coming general election.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) had claimed on Oct 23 the Sungai Semenyih water treatment plant was forced to shut down following an odour pollution said to be affected by pollution discharges from industrial areas in Nilai.

READ: BN, UMNO urged to take action over Selangor water sabotage allegations

READ: Semenyih water treatment plant shuts down again