Reports by SIM LEOI LEOI, JUNAID IBRAHIM, GERARD GIMINO and SHALINI RAVINDRAN
PETALING JAYA: Two people have been detained for investigation over the odour pollution that shut down four water treatment plants in Selangor and caused water disruption to thousands of households in seven districts in the Klang Valley since Tuesday.
Confirming the detention, the Department of Environment said they were being held under Section 25 of the Environmental Quality Act.
“(The section) provides for a mandatory prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to RM10mil if convicted,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The department said it had conducted an investigation at a premises suspected of processing acrylic materials in the industrial area of Jalan Kampung Orang Asli, Kuang in Rawang, after the odour pollution was detected.
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“The inspection found that the source of the odour pollution was due to a leak of a chemical known as Poly Metha Acrylic Acid (PMAA) from a storage tank, which is a liquid product produced on the premises.
“The spill eventually overflowed into the drains of neighbouring premises, then into the main road drain and subsequently into Sungai Kuang.
“This waterway feeds into Sungai Kundang, which in turn flows into Sungai Sembah, eventually reaching Sungai Selangor. The chemical leak caused the release of an odour due to the strong and pungent smell of PMAA,” it said.
DOE said it had issued an immediate directive to the operator to carry out cleaning works within the premises, the drains and affected streams, and for these works to be completed by a licensed contractor.
“Three evidence samples were also taken and submitted to the Chemistry Department for composition determination and matching tests.
“The operational area of the premises along with the processing equipment have also been seized by the DOE through the issuance of an Equipment Operation Detention notice under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 until the investigation is completed.”
On Tuesday, the Rantau Panjang WTP and Sungai Selangor Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 WTPs (SPP1, SSP2, and SSP3) had to be shut down, affecting supply to seven areas under Air Selangor namely; Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor.
