PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) expects to see the water disruption in Selangor sorted out within the next 24 hours.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili has singled out the industrial sector as the possible culprit which tainted the water of the Sungai Semenyih plant, resulting in supply disruption to several parts of the state.
He spoke to reporters after witnessing the signing of the Sale & Purchase Agreement between Ranhill Bhd's subsidiary Ranhill Water Technologies (CAYMAN) Ltd and China's SIIC Environment Holdings Ltd here today.
The minister said that all necessary action is being taken to ensure that the interruptions are minimal, and authorities at both the federal and state level are trying to identify the actual source of the problems.
The media have reported that the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment plant in Dengkil was deluged with contaminants suspected to have originated from the Semenyih Hi-tech Industrial Park, about 37km upstream.
Sungai Semenyih is a major waterway from the Semenyih dam to the treatment plant.
"Up till yesterday, they (the authorities) were still unable to locate it (source of pollution).
"Everybody is playing their role and we need stringent monitoring and we must penalise the culprit.
"Otherwise, it is too easy to pollute and affect people's lives," said Dr Maximus.
"We are still monitoring the quality and smell of the water and we hope to sort this out as soon as possible, possibly in the next 24 hours," he added.
The minister said that KeTTHA, as a regulator, monitors the standards of water that the public consumes according to international standards.