SHAH ALAM, Aug 22 – Three potential water supply disruptions caused by contamination of raw water sources were successfully averted in July through the Selangor Raw Water Security Scheme (SJAM).
State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) director Dato’ Johary Anuar said the scheme ensured an uninterrupted clean water supply to consumers across the state, even when raw water sources were polluted.
“There was a pollution incident in Putrajaya, and Air Selangor (Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd) issued a notice of a water supply disruption.
“But then SJAM was activated, and the odour pollution was resolved within six to seven hours, which prevented water supply disruption from affecting consumers,” he told Media Selangor.
Pollution incidents in July:
July 28: At around 1.40am, an abnormal odour was detected in Sungai Semenyih. The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) activated a yellow code, which could have disrupted the water supply. Checks found recycled waste and an oil-like spillage.
July 15: Rising ammonia levels at the Sungai Semenyih water treatment plant (WTP) intake point led to activation of SJAM pumping operations from Pond C, supplying 616 million litres per day (MLD).
July 5: An abnormal odour was detected near the Sungai Semenyih WTP intake at 12.30am. A yellow code was activated, and SJAM Package C was triggered, pumping 770 MLD of water.
Since 2021, the Selangor government has allocated RM320 million for (SJAM, covering Phase One’s Packages A, B, C, and D, as well as the Hybrid Off-River Augmentation System (Horas) reservoir, which adds 300 MLD of raw water storage.
The project’s second phase is designed to secure adequate raw water during dry spells. The state has also identified all retention ponds and lakes to serve as alternative water sources when needed.
In addition, a pump house built at Kolam Hang Tuah 5 for the Rantau Panjang WTP in Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor, provides an extra supply of clean water during prolonged pollution events.
River diversion and pumping works at the Sungai Selangor Phases (SSP) 1, 2, and 3 WTP under Package C further help prevent contaminants from reaching the plant.
Johary added that the Sungai Selangor and Rantau Panjang WTPs supply 60 per cent of the state’s treated water, while the Sungai Semenyih WTP serves 462 areas covering 388,690 accounts, or nearly one million residents.
“If these measures (developing SJAM) were not taken, the WTPs would face frequent closures as raw water source pollution can occur at any time,” he said.
Although pollution-related disruptions are often resolved quickly, any delay in water distribution would still be an inconvenience for consumers.
Johary noted that SJAM’s success reflects the First Selangor Plan’s (RS-1) commitment to ensuring the people of Selangor receive a continuous 24-hour water supply, even in the face of raw water contamination risks.
