New Straits Times 9 Sep 12;
THE Department of Environment (DOE) is to map all polluted rivers in the Klang Valley and Johor. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said DOE would identify the sources of pollution.
"Once the mapping is completed, we will be able to identify the most polluted rivers and why it is so," Douglas said after launching the National River Forum 2012.
He hoped the mapping work would be completed by the year-end. After that, DOE would proceed to do the same in other states.
Douglas said the populated areas were mainly in cities and the vicinity of industrial and illegal manufacturing activities.
"Major sources of pollution include improper discharge from sewerage treatment plants, agro-based factories, livestock farming, land clearing and domestic sewage."
Douglas said rapid development and the high population concentration of more than four million in the Klang Valley had contributed to pollution of the Klang River, with 77,000 tonnes of waste being dumped yearly.
Water quality monitoring of 464 rivers nationwide, undertaken by DOE last year, showed that 59.3 per cent of rivers were categorised as clean, 32.3 per cent as slightly polluted and 8.4 per cent as polluted.
Douglas said this situation was better than the previous year when 51.4 per cent of the rivers were categorised as clean, 35.6 per cent as slightly polluted and 13 per cent as polluted.
"River pollution is a serious matter because 97 per cent of our raw water supply comes from surface water sources."
Douglas said all parties had to assume collective responsibility for the sustainable use and management of rivers and water sources.
The forum, organised by Guinness Anchor Berhad Foundation, was participated by two local and five foreign experts from Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Vietnam. They shared the best practices of sustainable river management.
Foundation chairman Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye said five years ago, it embarked on a water project with Global Environment Centre and the community to rehabilitate the Sungai Way river, a tributary of Sungai Penchala, in Selangor.
"Today, the water quality and biodiversity have been enhanced."
