Special task force working to restore Penang’s waterways

GEORGE TOWN: The quality of rivers in Penang is so bad that the state government has formed a special task force on erosion and sediment control to bring back life to these waterways.

State environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said so far, three Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) plans had been completed by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), namely for Sungai Juru, Sungai Perai and Sungai Muda, while the IRBM studies for Sungai Jawi will begin in 2025.

He said the objectives of the IRBM plans included ensuring sufficient and clean water, reducing the risk of floods and conserving the environment.

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“River basin management must be handled in an integrated manner with all technical agencies, including local authorities, working together to address river cleanliness issues and achieve sustainable river management,” he added.

Sundarajoo said the state government had also formed a special task force on erosion and sediment control (the Ops Lumpur committee) to improve the quality of rivers.

The committee will be headed by him and will enforce regulations on all approved development projects within Penang.

“This task force comprises various departments and agencies, including the DID, local authorities, the Environment Department (DOE) and the Public Works Department (PWD),” he said.

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As for action against river polluters, the state had sufficient regulations and enforcement of these could be carried out by multiple agencies within their jurisdiction, Sundarajoo noted.

For instance, the DOE could enforce regulations under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA 1974), which it does regularly, including via integrated and sting operations.

“Action taken against industrial pollution sources under EQA 1974 include on-site directives, directive notices under Sections 31 and 37 of the Act, fines for offences under relevant regulations and court actions.

“As for local authorities, there are provisions that can be used against river polluters based on the Local Government Act 1976 and Licensing Fees By-Laws 1980.

“Measures include issuing notices to cease operations or eliminate nuisances, issuing fines, revoking licences, taking legal action and confiscating pollution- causing equipment,” he added.

Under the Water Regulatory Division, those who pollute rivers can also be penalised under Section 47 of the Water Supply Enactment 1998 for any unauthorised activities in gazetted water catchment areas.

Sundarajoo said the sources of pollution were classified into two categories: point sources and non-point sources.

“Pollution from point sources includes discharges from food premises, small industries, vehicle workshops, sewage and domestic waste from traditional settlements.

“Non-point source pollution primarily stems from surface run-off that carries pollutants into the rivers,” he said, adding that the dominant pollutant identified in many of Penang’s rivers was ammoniacal nitrogen.

Ammoniacal nitrogen typically originates from sources such as sewage, industrial waste and agricultural run-off. Its presence indicates significant organic pollution, which can harm aquatic life.

Sundarajoo said the state government conducted ongoing monitoring through several mechanisms, including the state environmental standing committee meetings, the main committee and Special Task Force on Erosion and Sediment Control meetings, as well as state flood mitigation committee meetings.

The state government, through the DID, is also working to establish the Penang State Water Resources Council to oversee the implementation of the IRBM action plans and monitor the state’s water resources.

“By taking a comprehensive approach that includes enforcement, monitoring and community involvement, Penang aims to greatly improve the water quality of its rivers,” Sundarajoo said.

He added that this commitment reflected the state’s dedication to environmental sustainability and the wellbeing of its residents.