By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Oct 8 — The state government has identified 100 ponds across Selangor that can be utilised as alternative water sources while also serving other purposes.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim said these include functioning as flood retention ponds, recreational areas, and for pollution mitigation.
One such facility is the Hang Tuan off-river storage (ORS) pond in Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor, which serves as a crucial reservoir for supplying alternative water sources to the Sungai Selangor Basin.
[caption id="attachment_363166" align="alignright" width="407"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim speaks to the media after the Selangor Agropreneur Development Programme Fishermen’s Aid at Batu Laut Homestay Cultural Hall, Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, on July 2, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
“This ORS area consists of six ponds covering 64.98 hectares, and is being developed under the Selangor State Infrastructure Committee, through the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme.
“The project aims to supply alternative water sources to the Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plant,” he said in a statement today.
Izham added that aside from supplying water, the Hang Tuah ORS pond also functions as a recreational and sporting venue, as it hosted the National Stand Up Paddling Circuit Selangor Series 2024 from October 3 to October 6.
To ensure water sources across Selangor are properly preserved and maintained, the state government had previously launched the Friends of Rivers (FOR) programme.
The initiative aims to enhance community involvement by engaging the public, non-governmental organisations, corporations, and water activity advocates to collectively preserve and restore rivers and water sources, like lakes and ponds, through beneficial activities like community cleanup.
“Through this effort, water source areas such as the ponds in Bestari Jaya can be maintained and preserved with the collaboration of the community, non-governmental organisations, and programme organisers.
“In addition, this initiative indirectly revitalises the state's water source areas for the benefit of the people, while also serving as a water supply. The Selangor government welcomes and encourages industry players to organise beneficial activities on water bodies in Selangor,” he said.
