mohd farhaan shah The Star 6 Apr 19;
JOHOR BARU: Five water treatment plants that have been shut down due to high level of ammonia pollution along Sungai Sayong and Sungai Johor are now up and running again.
The five plants are Sayong 1 and Sayong 2, Semanggar, Sungai Johor and Tai Hong, which is managed by Public Utilities Board (PUB).
Johor International Trade, Investment and Utility Committee chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said even though the plants were fully operational, the water supply to the affected areas would still take some time to be at full capacity.
He pointed out that the Tai Hong water treatment plant, which begin operations on 11pm on Friday (April 5), could only supply treated water to residents here, starting at 6am on Saturday (April 6) in stages.
Puah said that as of 4pm on Saturday, about 24,713 Ranhill SAJ accounts, or almost 123,565 users were still affected from the pollution.
“Most of the area around here started to get their water supply, except for Kempas, Taman Bukit Indah and Taman Desa Cemerlang.
“The state government, through Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) and Ranhill SAJ, is working to restore water as normal to consumers,” he added.
Puah urged those that still affected by the incident to be patient, as water would be fully restored by Saturday tonight.
On Wednesday (April 3), high levels of ammonia pollution were detected in Sungai Sayong following an incident that happened at a biocomposite centre next to an oil palm factory in Sedenak at around 7am.
A reservoir had burst, causing the ammonia-contained water to flow into Sungai Sayong, which is one of the creeks that supplies raw water to Sungai Johor.
The Sayong 1 and Sayong 2 water treatment plants have to be shut down, as it could not process raw water to be treated due to high levels of ammonia.
The closure of the five water treatment plants have caused a disruption on water supply to three districts - Johor Baru, Kulai and parts of Kota Tinggi.
Ammonia pollutes Sg Sayong
mohd farhaan shah, venesa devi, and remar nordin The Star 7 Apr 19;
JOHOR BARU: At least 300,000 people in this capital are affected by water disruptions since Thursday after high levels of ammonia seaped into Sungai Sayong a day earlier.
Other districts where the taps ran dry were Kulai and parts of Kota Tinggi. Supply has been restored gradually.
As at 4pm yesterday, 123,565 users in Johor Baru alone remained without supply.
The latest water pollution in the state comes barely a month after the Sungai Kim Kim contamination sent thousands to hospitals in Pasir Gudang.
Ammonia was found in Sungai Sayong on Wednesday.
This was confirmed by Johor International Trade, Investment and Utility Committee chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse the next day.
He explained then that the leak came from a bio-composite centre next to an oil palm factory in Sedenak at about 7am on Wednesday.
A reservoir burst when the ammonia-contained water, which had hit maximum level, flowed into Sungai Sayong. The Sayong 1 and Sayong 2 water treatment plants had to be shut down as they could not process raw water due to the high levels of ammonia.
The Semangar and Sungai Johor water treatment plants could not be operated either as raw water had reached them.
Tai Hong water treatment plant, which is operated by the Public Utility Board (PUB), has also suspended operations.
Yesterday, Ranhill SAJ said the Semangar and Sungai Johor water treatment plants had resumed operations.
“So has the Tai Hong treatment plant,” it said.
Puah said the authorities had taken the necessary action against the perpetrators by cancelling their raw water abstraction licence.
“We would also issue them a compound with an appropriate quantum,” he said.
“The Johor government will not compromise with irresponsible quarters. Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) has cancelled its water abstraction licence with immediate effect,” he said yesterday.
On water disruptions around here, Puah said the authorities had now entered the last phase for a full resumption of water supply.
“At the moment, I would like to apologise to all the affected users following the action of an irresponsible company that polluted Sungai Sayong and Sungai Johor.
“The ammonia level was too high, forcing the closure of all main plants in Sungai Johor,” he said but pointed out that after three days, the ammonia level had dropped to an acceptable level.
“However, there are still almost 24,713 accounts that are affected and the government, together with Bakaj, PUB and Ranhill SAJ, is working closely to make sure the issue will be resolved soon.”
Johor Green Earth Society president P. Sivakumar said the river pollution was a clear indication of the importance of protecting the main water source.
“I believe the authorities need to beef up enforcement and monitor our rivers closely,” he said, adding that there should be a blueprint on water management in Johor as the state was undergoing robust development.
Residents running out of patience
The Star 7 Apr 19;
JOHOR BARU: Residents and business owners are getting increasingly frustrated over the water disruptions that sometimes last 72 hours or more.
Rozita Ramli, 54, said Ranhill SAJ should have sent out notifications about the disruptions.
“Taps began running dry since Thursday,” said the restaurateur.
“We are left to fend on our own,” she said. “And it’s affecting our businesses.”
Masjid Taman Pelangi Imam Abu Ayob Ansari said the mosque managed to provide enough water for its congregation to perform the wudhu (ritual washing before prayer).
“I was a bit worried because hundreds of Muslims will come for the Friday prayers,” said the 40-year-old.
“We’re not taking things for granted and have prepared a huge water tanker for those performing prayers,” he said.
A retiree, who only wanted to be known as Chan, said the water disruptions made it difficult for her to carry out her day-to-day chores.“They (Ranhill SAJ) should at least send tankers to the affected areas as we are in dire need of water to carry out our daily routine,” said the 76-year-old.
“I have been waiting and waiting since Thursday and was disappointed when I did not get any response from SAJ despite several attempts to reach out to them,” she said.
Another retiree, who wanted to be known as Yeo, said he was disappointed that the disruption wasn’t temporary.
“It is still continuing,” said the 73-year-old.
“The water that I have stored will soon run dry and the hot weather is making the situation much worse.”
Student Poh Yun Ru said she and her family had made two trips to the convenience store to get six mineral water bottles.
“My family of six has been depending on bottled water for the past three days,” said the 16-year-old.
Kawsar Mahmud, 20, said bottled water was sold out at the convenience store where he worked.
“People have been coming to buy bottled water since Friday morning. More people come at night,” he said.
