GEORGE TOWN: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) has urged the Penang government and other relevant authorities to investigate and resolve the water pollution from Parit D3 - Paya Mahang in the Seberang Prai Selatan (SPS) district.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman said they had brought the issue up with the relevant authorities, however, no effective actions had been taken to curb the pollution, which subsequently further deteriorated the water quality there.
According to Meenakshi, the water from the polluted drain flows through the Jawi River basin, heading to the estuary of the Jawi River and finally to the sea.
She added that the water pollution could be witnessed clearly when passing through the main road, which is located at the bend of Jalan Besar heading to Simpang Ampat, SPS before the Silitech Technology Corporation Sdn Bhd factory.
"It can be clearly seen that water in the drain is contaminated, silted, emitting foul stench and seems to be oily.
"As such, SAM urges the state government, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), the Department of Environment (DOE), the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP), the Department of Veterinary Services, and other relevant authorities to immediately investigate and resolve the water pollution issue.
"The authorities should analyse the water from the drain to identify the pollutants and the level of pollution," she said today.
According to Meenakshi, the feedback that SAM had received from the SPS DID was that the possible cause of the drain turning blackish and dirty was due to pig farming activities in the vicinity of the Parit D3 (Paya Mahang).
She also said it was reported that the water from the pig farms had flowed directly into a nearby drain and subsequently into Parit D3.
She said the DID also stated that they had raised the matter at a committee meeting of the special task force addressing the issue of river and sea pollution in Penang.
"It is obviously clear that the pollution here has been long-standing and is known by the authorities. However, the pig waste pollution seems to have no end, as what has been plaguing the community in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor for over 40 years.
"The Pig Breeding (Penang) Enactment 2016 and Pig Breeding Licensing Regulations (Penang) 2020 must be strictly enforced to resolve the issue of pollution from pig farming in the state.
"We believe that if the pollution in Parit D3 is not addressed effectively, without control and stringent enforcement, the problem will be exacerbated. It may lead to immeasurable complexity and cost a substantial amount in future river restoration projects planned by the Penang government," she added.
Meenakshi said, hence, SAM urged the relevant authorities to conduct integrated operations as well as impose stricter action against those responsible for causing the pollution.