Water cuts to affect over 1,100 areas in KL & Selangor, stems from an odor pollution incident in two local rivers.
KUALA LUMPUR: In a sudden turn of events that has left residents scrambling, seven regions in Malaysia’s Selangor state are facing unscheduled water supply disruptions. The crisis, announced by Air Selangor, the state’s water management company, on Tuesday, July 23, stems from an odor pollution incident in two local rivers.
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Water Supply Disruption
The affected areas include major urban centers such as Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, and parts of Kuala Lumpur, as well as the more rural districts of Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor. This widespread disruption has emerged as a significant challenge for both residents and businesses in one of Malaysia’s most populous and economically vital regions.
At the heart of the crisis is the temporary shutdown of four critical water treatment plants: Rantau Panjang and the three phases of the Sungai Selangor Water Treatment Plant. These facilities were forced to cease operations due to odor pollution detected in Sungai Kundang and Sungai Sembah, two key water sources for the region.
Contigency Plan
Air Selangor, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page, said, “Following the suspension of the four LRAs (water treatment plants), seven areas under Air Selangor have started to experience unscheduled water supply disruption.” The company has yet to provide an estimated timeline for the resolution of the crisis, leaving many residents uncertain about when their water supply will be restored.
In response to the emergency, Air Selangor has mobilized water tankers to provide alternative assistance, with a focus on critical premises. However, the scale of the affected area suggests that these measures may only partially mitigate the impact on consumers.
The water management company has promised to provide regular updates through various communication channels, including their mobile application, social media platforms, and contact center. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through these official channels for the most up-to-date information on the situation.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of urban water systems to environmental pollutants and underscores the need for robust water management and pollution control measures. As Selangor grapples with this unexpected crisis, questions are likely to arise about the long-term sustainability of the region’s water infrastructure and the effectiveness of current environmental protection policies.
For now, residents of the affected areas are left to cope with the sudden loss of a basic necessity, serving as a stark reminder of the critical importance of clean water sources in sustaining urban life.
Lead image courtesy of Villamilk from Getty Images Signature
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