State local government committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the DOE investigation paper (IP) has been submitted to the DOE's legal adviser at the federal level for further action.
"The probe was carried out under the Environment Quality (Sewerage) Regulations 2009. Any further action will be decided by the DOE legal adviser. The IP also stated other sources of pollutants, which included eateries, a laundromat and a car wash centre near the river," he told a press conference today.
The river came under the spotlight when a part of the sea near the river mouth turned black on Feb 2.
Five days later, a state Drainage and Irrigation department video showed a pipe from the IWK plant spewing dark-coloured water into the river but the company claimed it was an "accidental discharge" that happened on Feb 3.
IWK communications senior manager Shahrul Nizam Sulaiman confirmed earlier reports that the release was caused by a loose valve which took plant personnel 20 minutes to rectify.
"IWK has yet to see the contents of the IP prepared by the DOE and the company does not want to make any assumptions at this point in time. However, we look forward to working together with all parties and to resolve the matter amicably," he said in a statement today.
On future action to curb riverine and marine pollution, Chow said the Marine and Riverine Task Force was currently mapping rivers and identifying pollution sources along the banks with work expected to be completed next week.
"The paper will be presented to the state exco meeting and a plan to tackle the issue will be formulated," he said.
Source: The Sun
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