Johor sand mining company may face prosecution for Sungai Johor pollution that disrupted water supply to over 455,000 accounts.
JOHOR BAHRU: The company linked to the Sungai Johor pollution incident may face prosecution if the Department of Environment finds violations under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Following a meeting with the Land and Mines Office and the National Water Services Commission, the DOE will initiate legal action under relevant licensing and water service legislation.
The department issued a Field Citation to the company demanding a detailed report on corrective actions taken to repair the breached silt pond embankment.
The company has been instructed to continuously monitor all operational silt ponds to ensure no further pollution incidents occur.
The DOE emphasised it would continue investigations and take additional actions including prosecution should any Environmental Quality Act violations be identified.
The department clarified that the company’s sand extraction activity was not subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment as the affected area was less than 20 hectares.
Once necessary repairs are completed, the department will ensure no additional pollutants or muddy water enter nearby river systems.
Any party found responsible for causing environmental pollution may face strict enforcement action according to the DOE statement.
Operators of mining and industrial activities must implement effective pollution control measures especially during the rainy season.
Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communication Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the turbidity level of raw water in the Sungai Johor Basin had risen dramatically to 37,400 Nephelometric Turbidity Units.
The normal turbidity level is around 400 NTU according to the committee chairman.
The incident was caused by soil movement that led to the collapse of the sixth sand washing pond at an inland sand mining site in Kota Tinggi.
This contamination disrupted water supply to 455,499 consumer accounts throughout the affected region.
As of this morning, 211,257 accounts remain affected by the water supply disruption.
The affected accounts include 139,654 in Johor Bahru, 43,786 in Kulai, and 27,817 in Kota Tinggi.
Water release from the Linggiu Dam has been increased to aid dilution of the polluted river water.
Alternative water is being delivered to affected areas via tanker to mitigate the impact on consumers. – Bernama
