JOHOR BARU: Efforts need to be put in place to protect the state’s water resources, including Sungai Skudai, as they are an important lifeline, especially in drawing raw water to be treated for public consumption, says an environmental expert.

       For example, due to rapid development and pollution, production at the Sungai Skudai water treatment plant is regularly interrupted and the plant is only operating at about 30% of its capacity.

       Senior Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Prof Dr Zulkifli Yusop, said that rivers such as Sungai Skudai need to be protected as they are a source of raw water for public consumption as well as home to various aquatic life.

       Asked about residents in Taman Bukit Kempas alleging that heavy metals or toxins are being illegally dumped into a lake that then flows into Sungai Skudai a few kilometres away, Prof Zulkifli said that the water quality as monitored early this year only showed high levels of ammonia, sediment and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the river.

       “The high ammonia is due to mainly sewage or fertilisers getting into the river and the sediment is usually due to land-clearing activities for development.

       “At this moment, I cannot confirm if there are heavy metals or toxic materials in Sungai Skudai from this lake as this can only be determined through data if research is conducted,” he said.

       Prof Zulkifli pointed out that in the past, people have fallen ill after eating shellfish or mussels that could have been contaminated by polluted water around the Johor Baru area.

       He stressed that it is important that the relevant agencies be proactive in protecting the state’s water resources to ensure there is an adequate supply of potable water for everyone.

       “I am a strong believer in prevention always being better than curing the problem. Sometimes, the cure comes about too late,” he said.

       He said that since the Sungai Kim Kim incident in Johor there have been some improvements in putting up safeguards to check on illegal dumping – however, more needs to be done, he added.

       In March 2019, toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim resulted in over 4,000 people falling ill, while 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang district had to be temporarily closed.

       Johor Green Earth Society president P. Sivakumar, who visited the site in Taman Bukit Kempas, said the authorities should take drastic action to put an end to the pollution in the area.

       “I was surprised to find smoke still coming from the illegal dumpsite. The culprits are using heavy machinery to bury the rubbish to clear or hide the evidence.

       “This is a beautiful place that can be turned into a green lung similar to Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur.

       “Why must we protect some irresponsible people who are out to destroy nature for quick profits?

       “If it is true that heavy metals or toxins have been found in the lake, then this is a huge environmental disaster in Johor Baru,” he said, adding that those involved should be arrested and charged in court.