JOHOR BARU: The ammonia pollution in the Johor River near Kota Tinggi on Saturday (Oct 28) was caused by a chicken droppings processing factory close to the river.

Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Ayub Rahmat said the pollution has affected 160,000 users of Semangar water treatment plant who were living in Kulai, Senai, Gelang Patah, Iskandar Puteri, Skudai, Kempas, Taman Sri Austin and Kangkar Pulai.



He said this was the third incident of ammonia pollution and based on Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) investigation, it was caused by the same party.

“The Department of Environment (DOE) previously did not support the approval in the Preliminary Assessment Site (PAT) to proceed with the project in the area and we also regret that the local Land Office and Veterinary Department did not take stern action over the matter,” he told reporters at the Johor Talent 3 Graduation Ceremony at Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar Complex on Sunday.

He said the chicken droppings processing factory had to be closed immediately in order to ensure such incidents do not occur again.

“The DOE does not have any authority to close (the factory) but we have referred the matter to the local Land Office and Veterinary Department for immediate action,” he said.



FERTILISER PRODUCTS, CHICKEN MANURE EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS

In a report by the New Straits Times (NST), director for Johor's DOE Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said based on checks conducted by DoE staff at the farm since the previous case of pollution last year, the factory did not adhere to proper storage techniques for its fertiliser.

"The factory uses manure from the chicken to make fertiliser. Much of the fertiliser is improperly stored. The fertiliser products and chicken manure are stacked and exposed to the elements," he was quoted as saying.



"When it rains, the water soaks these items and the water seeps into the ground and flows into the river. This leads to the high content of ammonia in the river," Ezanni added.



Meanwhile, SAJ Ranhill's corporate communications head Jamaluddin Jamil was quoted by NST as saying two out of the three water treatment plants that were shut down had resumed operations.

"The Semanggar and Sungai Johor water treatment plants were re-opened about 7pm last night. Now, only the PUB (Public Utilities Board) Tai Hong water treatment plant remains closed," said Jamaluddin, adding that regular water supply to several areas would resume by Sunday night.

Ayub added that a meeting regarding the matter, which would be chaired by the Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) and related agencies including SAJ, DOE, Land Office and Veterinary Department, would be held on Monday (Oct 30).