SIK: The water pollution that caused three water treatment plants (LRA) to be shut down since Thursday was caused by an oil spill due to the installation of a jacking pipe at a project site in Kampung Gading, Jeniang, here.
Kedah Works, Water Supply and Resources, and Energy Committee chairman Datuk Suraya Yaacob said the pollution was detected at the water intake at 4.20pm on Thursday, following a strong smell of diesel.
She said an oil spill was found flowing into the drainage and subsequently into Sungai Muda, which supplies raw water to the water intake and the three water treatment plants.
"We had no choice but to stop the operations at three water treatment plants, namely Jeniang Lama, Jeniang Baru, and Sungai Pau, causing unscheduled water cuts to 34,200 Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) account holders, involving 136,800 users in Sik and Kuala Muda," she said after a visit to the water intake and the site project at Kampung Gading, Jeniang today.
Suraya said respective agencies such as the Environment Department, police, Kedah Water Resources Board, National Water Service Commission, and Public Works Department will investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, she informed that the three water treatment plants have resumed its operations in stages since yesterday afternoon, after cleaning works were carried out at the water intake.
LRA Jeniang Lama resumed operations at 5.15pm yesterday, followed by LRA Sungai Pau last night and LRA Jeniang Baru this morning.
All affected residents are expected to get their water supply latest by this evening.
To prevent the recurrence of such incidents, Suraya said the state government will introduce new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for development works near rivers that are raw water sources.
In related development, seven individuals, including four Indonesians, were remanded in connection with the water supply disruption.
Kuala Muda district police chief ACP Adzli Abu Shah said the seven individuals, all men aged between 27 and 38, were arrested yesterday for allegedly committing mischief which caused a diminution of the water supply.
All of them were remanded for six days, starting today.