PETALING JAYA: A fishing park in Bagan Hailam has been caught siphoning treated water for its workers and restaurant for about one year.
This was discovered during a joint raid by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Air Selangor on the park off Jalan Pelabuhan Klang Utara in Port Klang.
The fishing park, renowned for its red snapper and sea bass, was found to have made an illegal connection to an Air Selangor standpipe.
This resulted in an estimated loss of RM110,000 in revenue for the water company over the past year.
SPAN corporate communications and customer affairs unit director Mohd Fazil Ismail (pic) revealed that the fishing park operator allegedly started tapping treated water from the standpipe in July last year.
“Several industries in the immediate area had complained to Air Selangor about low water pressure. Based on Air Selangor’s report, SPAN carried out checks and found an illegal connection,” he said.
Mohd Fazil said a 25mm polypipe was used to divert treated water from the standpipe, spanning about 70m, to utility rooms and kitchens within the fishing park.
It is estimated that around 37,000 cubic metres of water was diverted.
SPAN has issued a compound and will summon the park owner to assist in further investigations.
“SPAN tested the chlorine content to confirm that it was treated water,” Mohd Fazil said, adding that the case will be investigated under Section 123 (1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655).
He hopes enforcement measures would deter others from stealing treated water.
“We encourage consumers to report water theft to SPAN via phone at 013-388 5000 or email aduan@span.gov.my,” he said.