The clogged drains in a Damansara village in Selangor, which have produced the stench of human waste for weeks, were due to the construction work of a new sewage treatment plant there, clarified Indah Water Konsortium today.

Head of communications for the national sewage management company, Amin Lin Abdullah said the sewage pipes in Kampung Kayu Ara were broken during the construction of an "oxidation ditch system".

Apparently, certain unknown quarters then tried to ease the problem by diverting sewage into the drains near a temporary longhouse settlement through makeshift pipes.

"However, the heaps of solid waste, such as wooden planks, bottles, wooden containers and refuse accumulated at the temporary pipe's discharge point, obstructing the flow of wastewater and thus caused backflow to the premises in the area," said Amin in a press statement.

Last Saturday, malaysiakini highlighted the plight of more than 100 families in the Kampung Kayu Ara longhouse who cried foul over the problem.

For the past two months, some 500 people have been putting up with the "unbearable" situation which was also a health hazard.

Nonetheless, the stinking problem faced by the families should be resolved soon by IWK.

"While waiting for new sewerage pipelines to be constructed and connected to the new sewage treatment plant by the housing developer, IWK will install temporary pumps to divert the existing flow to another public manhole leading to the new sewage treatment plant," Amin said.

Short term

When contacted, Amin however conceded that the temporary pumps are only a short-term solution.

Asked about the long-term solution, Amin said that the longhouse settlement is meant to be temporary and he hoped that the families would be resettled in new houses soon.

Kampung Kayu Ara is a working class area of made up of Malay and Indian families.

The longhouses were built for the residents when developer Puncakdana Sdn Bhd, took over the former rubber estate land from the owners.

A resident said they have been residing in the longhouses since 1998, provided to them free until the RM25,000 low-cost apartments which form part of their compensation package are ready this August.