ALOR STAR: The Department of Environment (DoE) has launched an investigation over a reported chemical spill in Sungai Padang Terap, near Kepala Batas, causing the river to turn red.
State DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Shahab said the pollution is believed to originate from waste discharged into a drain that is linked to an industrial facility near the river.
She said that the DoE received a complaint about the red pollutant in the river, which also emitted a foul smell, at 9.10am.
"As a result, we despatched an investigation team to the river to trace the source of the pollution. The investigation found that the pollution is believed to be caused by waste discharge from a drain linked to an industrial facility near the river," she said in a statement today.
Sharifah Zakiah said that samples of the pollutant have been collected and sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
She added that the department has instructed the management of the facility to clean up the drain and affected parts of the river, and the latter had agreed to do so.
"The facility management will also conduct an internal investigation to identify the cause of the incident and will submit a report to the DoE.
"We've also directed that the collected waste be stored temporarily to determine the type of substance released," she added.
Sharifah Zakiah said that if the waste is classified as scheduled waste, the facility will be directed to dispose of the substance through a waste processor licensed by the DoE.
"Hence, the public should not panic over the situation, but advised to refrain from approaching or engaging in any activities in the area for the time being," she added.