BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Penang government has confirmed that the discharge from a duck farm here led to the pollution of two rivers in Kedah.
This follows earlier reports that a pig farm in the same vicinity was to blame for the pollution of Sungai Kulim and Sungai Air Merah.
State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said checks by various government departments and agencies traced the pollution to the duck farm.
He said the duck farm was found to have released waste directly into a drain that flowed into both rivers.
"Stern action will be taken against the farm after a thorough investigation into the matter," he told newsmen after checks at both farms this morning.
Fahmi, however, said the farm waste had no direct effect on the people, be it in Kedah or Penang.
He said this was because the nearest Penang Water Supply Corporation treatment plant to treat water was 14km away.
Seberang Prai City Council health services veterinary officer Dr Mohammad Aklis Azmi said they would conduct further checks on the duck farm before issuing them with a RM1,000 compound.
"If the duck farm is licensed, it will be issued a show cause letter to explain the allegation against them. If the explanation is unsatisfactory, we will revoke their licence," he added.
Meanwhile, state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said since the duck farm has yet to be licensed by the department under the Penang Poultry Enactment, they could not act upon it.
"However, we are giving them two days to ensure the farm waste is discharged properly or risks further action."
There are about 100,000 ducks on the farm which has been in operation for the past 15 years.
It was reported yesterday that the Kedah Department of Environment (DoE) identified pollution in the waters of Sungai Kulim.
Kedah DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said that on-site investigations in the upstream area of Sungai Kulim were conducted following a Level 1 Notification of Pollution Event (NPE) on Feb 16.
The investigative team noticed a flow of black water from Sungai Air Merah into Sungai Kulim and proceeded to trace the source along Sungai Air Merah.
Drone surveillance along Sungai Air Merah pinpointed the origin of the black water.
Sharifah said they suspected the pollution originated from pig farms in Kampung Sungai Lempu, near Seberang Perai Tengah in Penang.