SUNGAI PETANI: The Department of Environment (DoE) has suspended operations of a used paper processing facility due to improper industrial waste treatment in the Tikam Batu Industrial Area here yesterday.
Its state director, Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab, said the action was taken after receiving complaints about the stench from residents in nearby Kampung Tikam Batu.
"Our investigations found that the foul odour originated from the industrial effluent treatment system of a facility processing used paper into corrugated medium paper products," she said in a statement today.
She said the facility's effluent discharge failed to comply with DoE regulations.
It also caused sedimentation in the waterways near the facility.
The suspension order was issued in accordance with Section 38 (1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
"The facility was also unable to ensure that all components of the industrial effluent treatment system were functioning properly, where the dissolved oxygen content in the oxidation pond was not within the specified range.
"The premises have been told to address this issue," she added.
The DoE yesterday also seized equipment from a metal spray production factory that had violated a previous operation suspension order.
"This factory was ordered to stop operations on Jan 22, as its work had caused air pollution and odour problems in the Bakar Arang Industrial Area.
"Checks found that the premises had breached the orders by cutting the lock chain, allowing it to operate illegally," she added.
"The factory has also been directed to undertake improvement work to address this issue," she added.