Water treatment facility discharge likely cause of river pollution
GEORGE TOWN: The pollution at Sungai Keluang near the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone here is suspected to have been caused by discharge from a water treatment facility.
State Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the Department of Environment (DoE) was investigating to determine the exact cause of the pollution.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that it was likely caused by the effluents discharged from an Indah Water (IWK) treatment facility nearby.
“DoE officers are investigating. We are working with IWK on this issue. We had been informed that IWK is carrying out upgrading works and DoE has taken action to remedy the matter,” he told the
New Straits Times yesterday. Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) yesterday urged DoE and the Penang Island City Council to investigate the discharge of white foamy substance that had polluted Sungai Keluang near the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone here.
CAP acting president Mohideen Abdul Kader said it was concerned over the content of the foamy substance.
This, Mohideen said, was because if it contained hazardous chemicals, it could cause adverse effects to the environment, threaten fishermen’s source of income and potentially affect public health.
CAP found that the foamy discharge flowed into Sungai Keluang from the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone, through a channel located in the area and dispersed to the nearby sea and fishing area.
Mohd Jamal Muhammad Saffuan, 43, said he noticed the foamy discharge in the murky river a few days ago.
However, the technician, who works at a factory nearby, said he did not pay much attention to it until it emitted a foul smell.
“The authorities must monitor the condition and quality of the rivers here as there are many factories located here and the effluents discharged into the river can be hazardous.”