SHAH ALAM: Sungai Gong and Sungai Sembah in Selangor have been identified as facing a high risk of possible pollution occurrence which in turn could impact their role as a prime water source in the Klang Valley.
Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) chief executive officer Suhaimi Kamaralzaman said to preserve the two water catchment areas they will inform the local authorities of factory operations along the two riverbanks which in turn could potentially lead to pollution.
Citing that both the rivers were at a 'critical' level in potential pollution occurrence, he said Air Selangor will do the necessary to work with the relevant authorities to ensure action can be taken promptly.
"The companies which abide the regulations of the local authorities should not, for instance, discharge oil and grease into the drain.
"They (companies) should not contravene the rules. They are also responsible for their actions," he said at a press conference today after attending the River Care programme by Air Selangor held at Sungai Kuang, Kampung Gombak, in conjunction with World River Day today.
The event attended by over hundred guests was held to create awareness on preserving and protecting rivers.
Suhaimi said that the people should be the eyes, ears, and even noses to report any information involving contamination of the rivers around their respective areas.
He said people can contact any authority to report the incidents and it will be channeled to the relevant parties for action to be taken.
"There is a coordination between the state and Federal agencies to monitor the reports and take action.
"We do not have enforcement powers, but we will channel the reports to the related agencies," he added.
Also present were Air Selangor corporate communication head Sharizatul Elina Baseri and its head of human resources and administration Raja Ahmad Hidzir Raja Muhammad.
Earlier this month, Sungai Gong was found contaminated following discharge from a heavy machinery maintenance factory in Sungai Gong Industrial Area in Rawang into the river.
It had caused water supply disruption affecting 1.2 million Air Selangor account holders in the Klang Valley.