The Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) discovered polluted drain water in Section 20, Shah Alam, at around 3.30pm yesterday (Dec 14), raising concerns as the water was flowing towards the Klang River.
According to LUAS, officers noticed that the water in the drain had turned an orange-red colour, prompting immediate checks at the surrounding areas.
Factories initially suspected
Authorities initially suspected that the pollution originated from factories in the Section 15 industrial area.
However, after tracing the drains in Section 15, LUAS found no visible signs of pollution in the area. Due to heavy rain at the time, the agency believes the contaminated water may have been rapidly carried by rainwater into the drainage system.
Although orange-red water was later detected at a drainage outlet in Section 15, investigations did not uncover the source of the pollution.
LUAS officers have since collected water samples from the affected drain and sent them to the Department of Chemistry Malaysia for laboratory analysis.
Test results pending
LUAS said it will continue efforts to identify the source of the pollution and has opened an investigation under Section 79 of the Selangor Water Management Authority Enactment 1999, pending the test results.
The agency also stated that it will coordinate with relevant local authorities and agencies to take further action within their respective jurisdictions.
Photos shared by LUAS on Facebook showed officers collecting water samples, as well as the orange-red coloured drain water that sparked suspicions of illegal industrial discharge.
