Diesel excavator almost caused pollution in Sungai Gong
RAWANG - The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) has detected an odour pollution believed to be from diesel at the rate of one ton in Sungai Gong, here, yesterday.
State Tourism and Environment committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said the odour was detected at 1.30pm.
Luas then activated Code Yellow in accordance with the Water Source Pollution Emergency Manual for incidents that have the potential to cause the water treatment plants (WTP) to stop working.
Investigation found that an excavator was placed on the bank of Sungai Gong at an estimated distance of 150 metres from the river and near a factory.
"The machinery was used to carry out gabion installation works for the purpose of strengthening the river bank which was done without approval and not following the proper work standards.
"According to preliminary information, the work methods carried out had high risk of causing pollution such as oil spills," he said in a statement today.
Luas subsequently instructed the machinery operator to immediately remove the machinery involved from the river bank as it posed a risk of causing pollution and disrupting the state's main water treatment plant operation which was the Rantau Panjang WTP, SSP1, SSP2 and SSP3.
"Moreover, spraying works using biological treatment through the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) initiative was also carried out as out as control, prevention and conservation measures so that there would be no implications for Sungai Gong.
"Luas had managed to control the incident and no disruption to the water treatment plant operation was reported," he said.
He said Luas had opened an investigation paper under Section 59 (1)(b) of the Selangor Water Management Authority Enactment 1999 for carrying out the entry or release of polluting substances without a Luas licence.
