Couple raise a stink stench from next door
PETALING JAYA: For almost two years, an elderly couple have to put up with the stench of sewage water overflowing from their neighbour’s house into their house compound. Despite several complaints to the neighbour and the landlord of the house, no action has been taken.
Located in Section 6, Jalan Gasing, here, the houses, which were built more than 20 years ago, use a communal septic tank (CST) shared by several houses.
“Despite all the complaints and pleas to repair the septic tank and clean the system, they ignored us. The neighbour said he has informed the landlord who does not want to do anything about it,” Sophia Leong said, adding the problem started in November 2015, a few months after the neighbour moved into the unit.
“The waste water flows into my compound and my whole house smells of sewage. It is worse when it rains. We have to eat and sleep with the stench despite cleaning the affected area over and over,” Leong said.
She said the Petaling Jaya City Council and Indah Water Konsortium Bhd informed her that this problem comes under the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) as CSTs are installed by residents.
It is learnt the commission had issued a notice last Sept 1 to the house owner and resident directing them to repair the septic tank.
However, the commission had not taken any follow-up action so far.
“But how long do we have to wait before the commission takes action?” Leong asked.
SPAN director Mohd Jalaludin Sulaiman confirmed a notice has been served on the resident and owner.
“We are aware of the complaint and have served the notice. But checks by my officers last week showed that there has been no further action from the resident or owner of the unit.
“We will try to contact the owner again, failing which we have to open an investigation paper on this to take action under the law.
“It is the responsibility of the house owner or resident to do maintenance work or repair the septic tank to ensure that it does not overflow,” he told theSun.
Jalaludin said under Section 62(1) and (2) the Water Services Industry 2006 Act, CSTs come under the responsibilities of the property owners or residents of the area.
Asked why the investigation paper has not been opened despite none action for four months, he said it is a long process and will delay repair work further.
“It is better if the owner or resident take immediate action,” he said.