Amirudin (right) launching the Zero Discharge Policy during the Selangor World Water Day celebration in Pandan Perdana. Looking on (from left) are Hasrolnizam, Izham and Ani. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
SOME 100 ponds in Selangor have been identified as alternative water sources and will be gazetted to reduce dependence on the state’s seven main dams.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said 20 ponds had been officially gazetted as Protection Zones under the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) Enactment 1999, while the remaining 80 were in the process of being gazetted.
“Once this process is completed, Selangor’s raw water storage capacity will be increased by three months, bringing it to a total of nine months, even in the absence of rainfall.
“These ponds will also be connected to the state’s rivers through a dual-function pumping system, serving both as a water storage and flood mitigation system,” he said during the state-level World Water Day celebration in Pandan Perdana in Ampang.
During the same event, Amirudin also launched the Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP), which aims at compelling industries to recycle their effluents, instead of dumping them into drains, rivers and water sources.
Under ZDP, businesses and premises in Selangor will now be charged a fee based on the volume of effluents discharged.
“The more they discharge, the higher the fee they will have to pay.
“This will also motivate them to implement waste management and recycling efforts,” Amirudin said.
Some 13 scheduled activities that operate near water sources and rivers will be regulated via ZDP, including aquaculture, earthworks, poultry and livestock farming, sand mining, slaughterhouses, sewage treatment and solid waste management services, among others.
He said the policy was gazetted on June 20 and would take effect on Aug 12.
“We will give operators and owners of premises one year to register, after which we will start enforcing.
“But if there is a serious breach, action will be taken immediately.”
Luas, which manages the ZDP, will enforce it via a new regulation under the Luas Enactment 1999.
This includes the Polluters Pay Policy (PPP), where those found discharging effluents into the river would have to pay for any amount released beyond the regulated limit.
In an effort to increase the effectiveness of monitoring the state’s water sources, Luas has entered into a strategic partnership with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry through Malaysian Space Agency (MySA).
MySA has developed the Selangor Earth Surface Activity Monitoring Systems (Sesams) for Luas to monitor land use activities, particularly those related to water bodies and areas with potential to contribute to water source pollution.
The system is based on space technology and utilises remote sensing, geographical information systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
At the same event, Luas revealed its rebranded Skuad Pantas team, which will now be known as Luas Elite Water Squad (SKEAL).
“The team will be at the frontline in addressing water source pollution issues on-site and will be equipped with upgraded uniforms and improved equipment for better efficiency of monitoring, patrolling and mitigation operations at the site,” said Luas director Hasrolnizam Shaari.
Also present during the event were state infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim, public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, MySA director-general Azlikamil Napiah, state financial officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) president Dr Ani Ahmad.
