Dry taps, empty pockets days after Johor river contamination
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Efforts were being made to get all four water treatment plants located along Sungai Johor operational again.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
JOHOR BAHRU - Tens of thousands of people are still without water on Nov 4, despite two out of four water treatment plants resuming operations after being shut down due to pollution caused by sand mining along the Johor River
The dry taps, which started on Oct 31, have affected more than a million consumers across four districts: Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Kulai and Pontian.
People have been stocking up on bottles of mineral water, as many are worried that the dire situation could prolong.
At press time, efforts were being made to get all four water treatment plants located along Sungai Johor operational again.
Mr Rosli Hassan, 48, from Tebrau in Johor Bahru, said recovery numbers shared on the water concessionaire’s social media accounts are pointless if people still do not get water supply after more than 48 hours.
“Some areas are facing a longer period of water cuts. I hope the state government takes this matter seriously and goes after the polluters of our water resources.”
He thanked the water concessionaire for being proactive by sending water tankers to the affected areas.
Another local resident, known only as Wan, from Taman Impian Emas in Skudai, said her area has had no water supply since Nov 1.
“It has brought a lot of hardship to my family, especially since we have elderly people living in the house,” she said.
During a site visit, 25 fishermen from Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang in Kota Tinggi said they believed that the latest pollution had resulted in about one tonne of dead fish.
“It will take us six months or more for us to recover from this. We were forced to endure a similar incident due to ammonia discharge from a factory seven years ago,” said fisherman Azman Izam.
“We also hope this river can fully recover soon, especially since it is now the fish breeding season,” the 48-year-old told reporters after inspecting Ulu Sungai Johor in Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang on Nov 3.
“I have three school-going children, so every ringgit counts. When the river is polluted, it directly affects our ability to feed our families,” he added.
Kampung Orang Asli Sayong Pinang Village Development and Security Committee’s Fisheries Network chairman Jasni Ahmad said the pollution had caused the fish population to decline.
“The villagers are asking for compensation from the company involved. We also hope the company will carry out corporate social responsibility initiatives such as restocking the river with fish fry,” he said.
Mr Tok Batin Majid Jantan said about 25 fishermen have been left without income for four days.
He said the average fisherman previously earned between RM60 (S$19) and RM100 a day.
“I hope the authorities ensure this never happens again. We are also requesting compensation as the effects of this pollution are long term,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
