Conventional pollution control at pig farms cause of water pollution in the area

KUALA LUMPUR: Conventional pollution controls at pig farms in Kuala Langat and Sepang have been identified as the reason for water pollution in the area.

In a statement issued today, Selangor Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian said pig farmers in the area did not implement modern pig farming via the close house method.

“Waste management of livestock excrement is only through collection in the reservoir ponds inside the premises.

“Effluent from this pond is then drained to an outlet outside the premises and finally enters coastal waters,” he said today.

There are 118 premises active and licensed with the Malaysian Veterinary Services Department (JPV) at the Kuala Langat district and part of Sepang.

He said the farms were operating on land lots with agricultural status.

Following news reports from a Malay daily of pollution incidet at Tanjung Sepat in Kuala Langat, several measures have been put in place to control the situation.

Firstly, he said JPV has instructed all operators involved to carry out cleaning and maintenance work on livestock farms and sewage systems immediately.

He said that livestock excrement should be disposed of outside the livestock farm area and sent to an authorised disposal site.

Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) has also instructed the owner of the land to immediately implement the rehabilitation of drainage ditches at the site so water released from the land lot does not pollute.

He said water quality sampling will also be carried out and legal action will be taken if there is any element of pollution.

“For long term measures, we will hold a dialogue session with state Agriculture Committee chairman Izham Hashim and the association and all pig farming operators in the state.

“JPV will coordinate planning and streamlining the management of livestock operations with related farmers.

“The main goal is for livestock excrement management that needs to be implemented systematically and not contaminate nearby water sources,” he said.

It was reported that Tanjung Sepat residents have been living in agony of the pollution in their area due to the nearby pig farms for over 30 years.

It was reported that though complaints were made to the authorities, the residents claim that it only fell to deaf ears.

NST