JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The pollution of Sungai Rinting, Masai here has been traced to burnt debris and soot flowing into the river after a blaze at a factory in Seri Alam yesterday.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the Environment Department had conducted an investigation after receiving complaints about fish carcasses found floating on the surface and the stink of the polluted water in the river earlier this evening.
“Based on early investigations, when extinguishing the blaze, a large amount of water was used and washed waste material such as ashes and burnt debris into the drain before flowing into the river.
“This altered the acidity level of the river water (reaching pH 9) resulting in the fish dying,” he posted on Facebook tonight.
Ling said the department had taken samples to carry out further investigations.
“However, this incident is not related to previous pollution incidents and is considered an isolated case. Therefore, the public is advised not to panic or link these two incidents,” he said.
A series of odour pollution was reported to have occurred at several locations in this district, including Kampung Melayu Pandan, Taman Daya, Taman Istimewa, Taman Mount Austin, Desa Tropika Industrial Area, Kampung Maju Jaya, Kampung Tawakal and Kampung Plentong Baru, since Sept 3.
On Sept 11, media reported that 47 individuals, including adults and children, including school students, experienced mild symptoms due to odour pollution reported in several areas in Johor Bahru.
-- BERNAMA
