SHAH ALAM: The Selangor state government is looking at improving the quality of water management and treatment of its water treatment plants as part of long-term solutions to water woes.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the measures identified include the use of technology to remove and deodorise odour pollution at water treatment plants, and to directly channel clean water while treating the contaminated water.
Amirudin said the long-term solution, however, would incur huge costs.
"If we are able to conclude discussions at the initial stage, I will present it during the state budget," he told a press conference today, after chairing the state-level National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
He said Selangor has sufficient off-river storage that could last for three to five days to channel the water directly.
"However, we still need to pump the water and pipes to directly channel the water to the treatment plants," he said, adding that Syarikat Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) was also scrutinising the matter.
He added more officers will be hired and deployed to monitor rivers in the state, namely Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat. Both rivers are being monitored round the clock since February.
Amirudin said the state government has instructed Air Selangor and Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) to add more officers to better monitor the rivers. He also said starting next month four drones would be used to monitor rivers in Selangor and premises located near to the water sources.
"The drones will also observe the water quality, allowing fast remedial works and prevent water cuts should there be any water pollution."
On another related matter, Amirudin said the proposal to amend the existing LUAS enactment concerning the punishment for river pollution offences would be tabled at the next state assembly sitting.
"We want the existing fine to be increased to a minimum of RM200,000 or not more than RM1 million."
Currently, anyone caught polluting the waters is liable to a maximum RM100,000 fine.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said water supply at 1,292 areas has been restored at 90 per cent.
"Water supply is expected to be fully restored by tomorrow," he said.
On Monday, Air Selangor had to shut down its Sungai Selangor Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Rantau Panjang water treatment plants after their water sources were polluted.
The move had caused water supply disruption to 1,196,457 account holders in 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, and Kuala Langat.
On whether there was sabotage behind the recent unscheduled water cut, Amirudin said: "I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I did not rule out the possibility. Let the respective authorities investigate the matter."
On calls for him to step down, Amirudin said what was more crucial now was to find the best solution to the problem.
"As the menteri besar and on behalf of the state government, we are doing our best to solve the problem."