DOE investigating why Sungai Triang turned black

JELEBU: A change of colour in Sungai Triang here which has been detected since yesterday has created quite a buzz on social media.

The picture of the Sungai Triang ,which had turned black, believed to be caused by a rubber factory nearby, was shared on Facebook by a resident yesterday. Many expressed shock over the transformation.

A Facebook user reminded residents nearby to save water following claims that the pollution would affect clean water supply from Syarikat Air Negri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (SAINS) as Sungai Triang dam gets its water supply from the affected river.

When contacted, state DOE director, Norhazni Mat Sari said the department has launched an investigation to identify the cause behind the change of colour.

“We deployed a team as soon as we received the report yesterday but when we arrived, the colour of the river had returned to normal. We looked for a possible cause for the pollution which included a rubber factory nearby.

“Further investigations at the factory found no elements that could have had contributed to the pollution. We also discovered that the factory didn’t release any waste from its premises,” she said.

Norhazni added, however, that investigations were ongoing.

“Samples had been taken and so far, no substances that can lead to pollution have been found in Sungai Triang,” she said.

Meanwhile when contacted, SAINS public relations head Norzita Ismail, said, the department had immediately shut down the Lakai and Ngoi Ngoi water treatment plants as soon as the pollution was detected.

“For Ngoi Ngoi water treatment plant, we are using water from the Triang dam for the time being. As for the Lakai water treatment plant, it has to be closed down for three hours to avoid the pollution,” she said when contacted by NSTP.

“We have lodged a police report. Further investigations is being conducted by the state DOE and Water Regulatory Body,” she said.