Back to the grind
Air Selangor to update latest status regularly on restoration to remaining places
Klang Valley folk hit hard by the major water cut can breathe a sigh of relief as they, like Byzura Mat Jusoh from Puncak Alam, Selangor, are flush with water. And with that, the washing up commences.
KUALA LUMPUR: Water supply to almost 48% or 618 areas of the 1,292 sites hit by the unscheduled water supply disruption in seven regions in the Klang Valley has been fully restored.
Hulu Selangor recorded the highest water supply resumption so far at 94%, followed by Kuala Selangor (93.5%), Petaling (57%), Kuala Langat (50%), Kuala Lumpur (41%), Klang and Shah Alam (24%) and Gombak (11%).
This was stated by Air Selangor Sdn Bhd corporate communications head Elina Baseri in a statement.
She said restoration to the remaining 674 areas was still in the process.
“Air Selangor hopes consumers who have received water supply will use it prudently to ensure the restoration process for the affected areas runs smoothly and according to schedule,” she said.
Air Selangor will update the latest status of water supply from time to time through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the agency’s website.
A pollution in Sungai Gong on Thursday led to a halt in the operations of four water treatment plants – Sungai Selangor Phase 1, 2, 3 and Rantau Panjang.
This caused a major water cut in parts of the Klang Valley. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia has called for more effective law enforcement, including heavier penalties for offenders involved in water resources pollution.
“Recurring water contamination incidents indicate that the huge gaps in these laws have yet to be addressed,” it said in a statement.
In Alor Setar, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the amendments to the Local Government Act would empower the local authorities to impose stricter action against factories responsible for causing pollution.
At present, she said enforcement against those found committing such offences fell under the jurisdiction of the Environment and Water Ministry through the Environment Department.
“The Housing and Local Government Ministry is responsible for issuing operating licences, in line with the jurisdiction of the local authorities.
“We are aware of the loopholes in the law.
“Therefore, (the amendment) will expand the power of the local councils in imposing stern action against the offenders,” she told a press conference yesterday.