This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on September 7, 2020 - September 13, 2020

Another disruption in water supply has occurred in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. This come barely months after water supply to many areas was cut due to odour pollution during the first phase of the Movement Control Order.

This time around, it is caused by factories in the Sungai Gong industrial area, which have polluted water resources and disrupted livelihoods in seven major districts,  or 1,292 areas.

Four water treatment plants had to be shut down after the discovery of pollutants in raw water in Sungai Selangor, causing taps to run dry in many parts of the Klang Valley.

The disruption of water services for the past couple of days has resulted in many businesses having to stop their operations, which has resulted in losses.

With most businesses already reeling from the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic, such careless actions on the part of the factories in Sungai Gong should not have happened.

Covid-19 remains a threat, and the lack of clean water could have catastrophic results.

Also, why are industrial areas located near water reserves  that supply water to homes and businesses? According to reports,  culprits in the past have also been illegal factories.

The Water Services Industry Act 2006 provides harsh penalties for those found guilty of polluting water sources. Are the laws being enforced?

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