2 days Ago By Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
PASIR PUTEH: The Kelantan Department of Environment has completed its investigation into the recent contamination incident at Sungai Rasau, and water samples are currently being analysed by the Chemistry Department.State DoE director Wan Aminordin Wan Kamaruddin said that the matter was now under the jurisdiction of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), as all actions related to the reopening of the affected water treatment plant fell within its responsibility."The DoE is assisting SPAN in monitoring activities in the area to ensure public safety and identify the source of contamination," he said.
He added that department officers visited the site on April 12 and collected water samples from the intake point of the Wakaf Bunut water treatment plant along Sungai Rasau."The samples have been sent to the Chemistry Department for further analysis, although the initial site tests conducted at the time showed normal readings," he added."Two additional samples were taken from a nearby water channel, close to a fish pond, before it enters Sungai Jeram Batu Hitam.
These also showed normal readings, and the same test was conducted at the Jeram Batu Hitam River Bridge, with results within the normal range."Wan Aminordin said that the results from the Chemistry Department's lab analysis were still pending."SPAN is closely monitoring the situation before any decision is made regarding the reopening of the water treatment plant," he said.
It was reported that the Wakaf Bunut water treatment plant had been temporarily halted earlier this week due to contamination in Sungai Rasau, which is believed to have originated from a nearby fish farming pond.Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) said that the contamination was suspected after a large number of fish were found dead in the pond."Sungai Rasau is the source of raw water for the intake of the Wakaf Bunut water treatment plant.
The pond is located upstream of the river."According to the pond owner, water from the pond is believed to have flowed into the river, based on the presence of dead fish, indicating possible poisoning in the pond water."A raw water quality disruption was detected at the intake point of the plant on Friday, April 11.
It is suspected that the raw water source has been contaminated by poison from the nearby pond," it said in a statement.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
