SHAH ALAM, July 7 — The water levels at Selangor’s seven major dams are satisfactory, with overall water storage exceeding 75 per cent today, despite the country entering the peak of the Southwest Monsoon, said state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She said dam water levels are expected to remain stable in the next three to six months through systematic water release management based on the intake requirements of water treatment plants (WTPs).
“The release (of water) is carried out in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) to increase the lifespan of the reservoirs through the combined use of alternative water source ponds, ensuring that water supply to the people remains consistent.
“Over 140 alternative water source ponds and several former mining ponds under the Selangor Off River Storage Scheme (SORSS) have been identified and are being upgraded to increase raw water storage capacity,” she said in a statement today.
Jamaliah added that the state government has activated a strategic mitigation plan through close supervision by the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) to ensure stable raw water supply at all major dams, amid the risk of extreme hot weather during the peak of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to last until September.
“The state administration is fully aware of the challenges of the peak of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to continue until September, and we are always on standby to face any eventuality.
“The effects of the El Nino phenomenon require more intensified efforts from all relevant agencies to ensure uninterrupted water supply and environmental sustainability throughout the dry season,” she added.
She also said monitoring and enforcement at high-risk localities, such as industrial areas, will be enhanced to ensure there are no illegal effluent discharges that could affect water quality.
To prevent pollution at WTPs, she said water quality monitoring has been enhanced with 24-hour patrols and continuous sampling at main river basins.
Meanwhile, Jamaliah said the Selangor government would also collaborate with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on cloud seeding should dam levels fall below the critical threshold of 50 per cent.
