Letters

Just a lot of talk and promises

LETTER: The frequent water cut is getting very annoying, especially when you wake up in the morning to dry taps. It is even worse when this happens during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) like currently as even eateries will be closed as they will not be able to cook.

This leaves people staying in areas like Subang Jaya and USJ stranded as they are unable to cook and unable to buy food. According to the Selangor Water Management Authority (SWMA) four treatment plants have been shut between 12.30am and 2am on October 19 due to odour pollution.

The sudden water cut is the seventh caused by odour pollution since July 19, 2019. Two other cuts were for contamination. In September, 1.2 million households in 1,292 areas had four agonising days of water disruption.

Frequent water cuts seem to be the new norm. The authorities must take a serious view that frequent disruptions not only affect residential areas but also businesses including manufacturing facilities.

It could have an impact on the economy. It must be noted that people run the risk of being infected by Covid-19 when there are large groups gathered in the open to collect water from tankers.

It must be noted that polluted water is a health hazard. The agencies concerned must act to prevent a recurrence. Factories should not be allowed to operate near rivers. Frequent checks should be made by the authorities concerned to shut down illegal factories.

There is much talk and promises by the respective agencies that checks will be stepped up and the penalty enhanced after each incident. That is as far as it goes. The full brunt of the law must be thrown on offenders.

WILLIAM DENNIS

Subang Jaya, Selangor


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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