By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 — Selangor’s Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP), supported by its Polluters Pay Principle (PPP), will help the state to fund more river rejuvenation projects, said the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas).
Its chief assistant director for River Basin and Coastal Management Division Haslina Amer said Selangor is the only state in Malaysia to implement these policies aimed at deterring river pollution while enacting a sustainable approach to protecting its water assets.
Under this policy, those who release effluents will be charged a fee based on the volume discharged. The higher the volume, the higher the fee.
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Selangor Water Management Authority river basin and coastal management division chief assistant director Haslina Amer speaks during a talk show at the Media Selangor studio in Shah Alam, on November 23, 2020. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
“When premises are licenced, we ensure their activities comply with specific standards. This includes regulating the quality of effluents discharged, ensuring they meet required levels.
“The fees collected from these regulations are then used to remediate and restore previously polluted rivers, following a ‘water-to-water’ concept.
“By collecting and controlling water quality, we aim to return it to its natural state,’’ she told Selangor Journal at one of the programmes held during the first series of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2024 today.
Earlier, Haslina delivered a pocket talk at the Selangor Investment Industrial Park Expo (SPARK) 2024 on the state’s ZDP and PPP policies and Luas' river rejuvenation effort.
She added that the ZDP policy is also listed under the First Selangor Plan (RS-1), which is part of the sustainability pillar for water management in the state.
Luas also suggested that state industry players adopt green technologies and comply with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
“We suggest the increased use of green technology. Our goal is to enhance environmental sustainability and ensure good water quality in Selangor.
“Moving forward, these initiatives will contribute to a healthier environment and better water quality for all,’’ Haslina said.
On October 16 last year, Luas said that it had completed the drafting of the ZDP regulatory framework, which aims to address the issue of river pollution caused by various activities and is expected to be enforced this year.
The state agency also previously stated that it is studying the possible implementation of a zero-discharge policy, in line with Section 44(1)(b) of the Luas Enactment 1999, to reduce river pollution.
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Selangor Water Management Authority personnel carrying out odour sampling for smell tests at one of the affected areas near Sungai Gong in Rawang, after a diesel-like odour was detected, on September 21, 2022. — Picture by FACEBOOK/Lembaga Urus Air Selangor[/caption]
