KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry have received reports on contaminated water samples taken from Sungai Buah in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, which flows into the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant.
The closure of the plant due to pollution had affected some 1.6 million Selangor residents.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the ministry has taken several actions to resolve the water pollution problems, aided by a joint task force from the Federal and Selangor government, Department of Environment, Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas), and local authorities.
He said work has been ongoing to pump the polluted water out from Sungai Buah. Repair works on bunds along the river also took place yesterday.
However, as of 9pm, the polluted water is still flowing from the river to Semenyih and has affected the water treatment plant.
“Therefore, the water treatment plant had to stop operating,” said Wan Junaidi.
The minister was speaking at a grant-presentation ceremony to recipients of the Santubong district, at his office here today.
Compounding matters, the downpour last night worsened the situation as the odour pollution could still be detected.
He said the ministry had instructed the Department of Environment and Selangor Government to conduct a joint research to identify the culprits involved in the pollution.
Wan Junaidi said that the person or company, if found guilty of causing contamination to the river, could be charged under the Water Services Industry Act 2006, which he said would carry heavier penalties.