WATER supply disruption over the past couple of weeks in parts of Selangor is said to be caused by pollution of raw water at the Semenyih River treatment plant. As a result, about a million consumers are affected by on-again-off-again supply without the necessary warning. The consequence does not bear describing given the hot, dry weather. But, what is truly appalling is the inability of the Kumpulan Air Selangor to identify the pollutant and the polluter. All it can tell consumers is that there is a strong stench in the raw water and the problem will be fully rectified today.
The public is told that the water reeks of industrial glue. However, the cause is not traceable. Who dumped what remains a mystery. Treatment has simply meant eliminating the odour by installing an activated carbon facility, but surely something is in the water or the smell would not be present. How can there be certainty that the water has been treated effectively for distribution when the water company has yet to identify the pollutant? Common sense says that odour is but a symptom not the cause. What then is the cause? Is the now odourless, treated water safe for consumption?
The assumption made is that the pollution is caused by industrial waste dumped into the river by an irresponsible company. But, what if it is sabotage and the substance is not meant to be easily traceable? It sounds alarmist, but to assume a relaxed stance when the threat of terrorism is real is to be irresponsible. Terror is not today necessarily a gun and grenade affair. As the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists, Dr Azahari Husin and Noordin Mat Top, show, scientists are not averse to using their know-how to maim and destroy. To, therefore, underestimate the problem is to risk endangering the public. The water company cannot declare that the polluter and pollutant is yet to be traced and then just because tests show that there are no known pollutants in the water, it is safe for consumption. 100 per cent certainty is needed.
Official statements made by both the water company and the authorities cannot be ambiguous. An assurance that those caught will be severely punished is not enough reason for consumers to feel placated. Until any and all possible danger is eliminated, alternative safe sources of water must be used. No matter how costly, public safety is paramount. After all, obviously access to sources of raw water, like Sungai Semenyih, is not properly monitored by the responsible local authority, water being its jurisdiction. This is not the first time that water sources have been polluted with industrial waste, but thus far identifying the culprit has not been too onerous. However, this time it is different. While the pollution is made obvious through smell identifying the pollutant, however, has evaded known tests. Where forensics is defeated, even if only initially, no possibility can be discounted. To assume something sinister on the part of the authorities is more prudent but panic is uncalled for.