RM10.85m to improve water quality of Batu Ferringhi River

GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has allocated RM10.85 million to efforts to improve the water quality of Batu Ferringhi River.
Its minister, Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the ministry had set up a special team with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), the Department of Environment (DOE), the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), and the Health Department to resolve the pollution in Batu Ferringhi River.
"Batu Ferringhi beach is the pulse of Penang and the most popular beach in Malaysia and Asia.
"In 2014, news of the pollution problem at Batu Ferringhi beach shocked the nation and the federal government views this seriously," he said in his speech at the launch of the beach conservation and improvement of Batu Ferringhi River sea water quality project here, today.
The text of his speech was read out by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Datuk Dr Hamim Samuri.
In Feb 2014, the local media reported that some part of the sea water at the beach turned black, believed due to sewage waste.
Investigation conducted by the DOE found traces of e-coli bacteria in the water samples taken from Batu Ferringhi River.
Meanwhile in a press conference later, Hamim said Batu Ferringhi River was 90% free of e-coli and it was safe for visitors to join beach activities.
The DID took water samples from the river six times a year to ensure it was free from the bacteria.
He said Batu Ferringhi River conservation project is a model project for rivers facing similar pollution issues. — Bernama