Poultry farm ‘cuts off’ water supply to hundreds of thousands, again
High level of ammonia in river shut down 3 treatment plants
AN illegal poultry farm that also makes fertiliser using chicken manure has been found to be the source of ammonia pollution in Sungai Johor that led to the temporary shutdown of three water treatment plants since Friday.
The incident raised the ire of residents affected by the water disruption here.
It also led to the state’s water utility company, SAJ Ranhill Sdn Bhd, issuing a notice saying that up to 1.8 million consumers could be affected by the incident.
However, what was troubling was that it was not the first time the poultry farm had caused ammonia pollution.
In July last year, a similar case affected 600,000 people.
Johor Department of Environment (DoE) director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said the poultry farm on the banks of Sungai Sayong, a tributary of Sungai Johor, was operating without the department’s approval.
“The farm operated under the jurisdiction of the Kulai District Land Office and Johor Veterinary Services Department. Only they can tell the farm to stop its operations,” Ezanni told the New Straits Times.
Ezanni said following last year’s case, all parties to a stakeholders’ meeting agreed that the factory be relocated.
“However, there was no action taken and the state DoE’s notice was not heeded.”
He said checks found that the farm did not adhere to storage techniques for its fertiliser.
“The products are exposed to the elements. When it rains, polluted water flows from them to the river. This leads to the high level of ammonia.”
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the farm would be shut down by the state government.
On Saturday, state Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat confirmed that the ammonia pollution was caused by the factory.
Ayub said this was the third incident of ammonia pollution this year and based on SAJ Ranhill’s investigation, it was caused by the same party.
“The factory is operating without the state DoE’s approval and the local Land Office and Veterinary Department did not take stern action over the matter.”
SAJ Ranhill corporate communications head Jamaluddin Jamil said two of the three treatment plants that were shut down had resumed operations.
“The Semanggar and Sungai Johor water treatment plants have been reopened. Only the PUB (Public Utilities Board) Tai Hong plant remains closed.”