Water pollution in Malaysia is one of the most crucial issues worldwide. This is due to its importance in humans’ life.
Do you recall when river pollution caused water supply cuts in parts of Klang Valley? Even if it’s only an inconvenience for a short time, a larger-scale problem like this could be dangerous for our health. Water pollution kills over 500,000 people annually, according to WHO (WHO).
What exactly is pollution?
Pollution is the result of long-term influences. Water pollution contaminates and degrades water quality. Drinking water can be contaminant by water pollution.
Contaminated water affects all lifeforms that depend on it. Contaminants water harms people and pets. Water pollution in agriculture harms the environment.
What is water pollution?
Water pollution is the discharge of chemicals into underground groundwater or into lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and seas. Thus, making water become toxic and unfit for consumption.
In addition, agriculture’s poor water quality has a detrimental effect on the environment. These are common contaminants like bacteria and parasites. As a matter of fact, these chemicals are often undetectable in seas and lakes.
Water pollution in Malaysia was a major issue that endangering water supplies. In 2019, hazardous chemical contamination in the Kim River in Pasir Gudang (Johor) affects approximately 20,000 homes. Moreover, from March 18 to May 4, 2020, there were 160 recorded instances of river contamination (Malay Mail, 2019).
Sources of water pollution in Malaysia
The picture is for illustration purpose only. Source: Canva
Both point and non-point sources are responsible for water pollution in Malaysia.
Point-source pollution is pollution that comes from a single source. To emphasize, agricultural and industrial activities are the primary causes of water pollution in Malaysia. As well as, wastewater treatment plants.
Non-point sources are more ubiquitous than point sources due to their dispersion across the environment. Garbage and agricultural runoff pollute Malaysia’s rivers.
State of Water Quality in Malaysia
As a result, controlling rivers falls to the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) Malaysia. Malaysians are concerned about the safety of their drinking water supply. Therefore, it will be serious consequences for Malaysia’s 97% of its water supply if rivers do not improve their condition. For example, poor management, public apathy, lack of resources, and lax enforcement have worsened water quality degradation.
In Malaysia, out of the 473 rivers examined, 244 (52 percent) were found to be clean, 186 (39 percent) to be somewhat polluted, and 43 (9 percent) to be infested with bacteria in this case. The majority of Malaysia’s rivers seem more like sewers than streams or bodies of water, particularly in metropolitan areas. As an illustration, significant management problems including pollution, deforestation, water catchment degradation, water scarcity and flooding, and institutional and legislative deficiencies are all related to water quality.
Examples of water pollution cases in Malaysia?
Beranang, Selangor
Source: Sungai Semenyih pollution: Food factory issued stop-work order | The Star
ODOUR POLLUTION AT A FOOD FACTORY LEFT A STOP-WORK ORDER IN EFFECT on 5 Sept 2021, PUTRAJAYA – The Environment and Water Ministry (KASA) issued a two-week stop-work order for a food factory in Beranang, Selangor, according to The Star. The plant may be polluting Sungai Semenyih. During follow-up investigations at the factory’s final discharge point, an odour similar to VOCs found in water samples taken on August 31 during the Semenyih WTP shutdown was found. The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) reportedly took the samples. The offender faces up to ten years in prison, an RM500,000.00 fine, or both.
Sungai Tengah, Nibong Tebal
PIG WASTES IS THE CULPRIT IN THE POLLUTION OF SG TENGAH on 8 Nov 2020, GEORGE TOWN– According to the Department of Environment (DoE), pig waste from Ladang Valdor in Nibong Tebal contaminated Sg Tengah. Animal waste and illegal dumping have reclassified Sg Tengah in Jawi as Class 4 pollution. The pollution affecting 4,000 residents, mostly fishermen. The problem has existed for over two decades. Anyone found guilty will face criminal prosecution by the state government without hesitation..
For both articles, we could see that major water-related issues, such as marine pollution, river pollution, and resource overexploitation, have been identified.
Consequences of water pollution on living beings
Some effects of polluted water are immediate, while others emerge months or years later. For example, a plant that dumped hazardous waste into the sea led to decades of neurological disease in a whole community (The Minimata Incident). Pollution has the following effects:
- In a study by Forstinus. et al found that waterborne diseases killed 1.8 million people in 2015.
- It may contaminate water, causing waterborne diseases.
- Water pollution may induce eutrophication, which harms the environment. This may kill fish and other aquatic life.
- Toxic substances in the water may reach people through fish or other aquatic creatures.
The question is, what can we do to prevent water pollution in Malaysia?
What We Should Do
A study in 2014 stated that small changes can have a big impact if we hold ourselves accountable for them. For instance, increase public awareness of the problem and keep your own contributions to a minimum.
- Repurpose, resell, or recycle plastic instead.
- Oils, chemical cleaners, and other non-biodegradable items should be recycled or disposed of properly.
- Consider low-maintenance landscaping to help manage stormwater.
- Clean up after your pets!
Laws & Regulations
The fact that rivers and oceans cross boundaries makes water contamination particularly harmful. When environmental standards are lax in one country, pollution from that country spreads to others in the region. Fortunately, environmental legislation has the potential to make it more difficult for individuals to contribute to pollution.
Malaysia’s Environmental Quality Act of 1974 threatens legal action against those who violate the law. The Environmental Quality Order 1989 and sewage and industrial effluent regulations are intertwined. The source is taken from Regulation | Department of Environment (doe.gov.my).
The economics
The polluter-pays theory is well-known. When the polluter says they will clean it up, it becomes a problem. This concept is used when people pay for plastic grocery bags at the store. It encourages people to adopt more eco-friendly habits.
The general public can play a role in water conservation. Changing our behaviours and using water more effectively and judiciously may have a long-term beneficial influence on raw water sources and supply availability.
In 2020, there are a total of 14 cases reported for water pollution under section 25(1) (Discharged Effluent Greater Than Specified Conditions), of Environmental Quality Act, 1974. If your business is likely to be under the DOE’s radar, you might want to consider getting expert advice from a qualified EIA consultant organization.
Velcro Envirotech Sdn Bhd (VETSB) is an independent company offering a workable, manageable, achievable technical solution to various environmental challenges. Our technical team and consultants have more than 20 years of experience in environmental pollution control engineering and waste management.
Past project: Woman & Children Block and Cardiological Centre at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh – bounded by several sensitive receptors such as schools, hospitals, and recreational areas. Its huge challenge is controlling environmental pollution. Therefore, VETSB covers the scope of Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Environmental Monitoring (EM), waste disposal, and provision of Environmental Officer (EO) to ensure the projects can meet the requirements outlined by Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).
Should you have further enquiries, you may contact Cik Haza (017-5004744) to arrange an appointment.
This article is for public general information purposes only. It is not meant to be used or constructed as advice in any manner.
