Luas to sue those making 'toxic water' claims
The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) has threatened to sue over media reports questioning the quality the water from former mining ponds that are being pumped into the state’s water supply.
The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) has threatened to sue over media reports questioning the quality the water from former mining ponds that are being pumped into the state’s water supply.
"Luas will not hesitate to take legal action against any party that intentionally or unintentionally gives the wrong impression on the quality of raw water and treated water," its director Md Khairi Selamat said in a statement today.
Khairi was responding to a New Straits Times report that said independent tests revealed that the mining pond water is toxic.
Meanwhile, Selangor state executive councillor in charge of infrastructure, Ahmad Yunus Hairi, also condemned the NST report and have his assurance that the water is safe.
"The state will always prioritise the people's safety and will never compromise (on this)," Ahmad Yunus told a press conference.
Five mining ponds identified as sources
Khairi said the state government has identified five former mining ponds as alternative water sources since 2011, and regular testing has been conducted by the Chemistry Department since 2011, the last of which was on May 2 this year.
The latest sample was also sent to an accredited lab, ALS Tehnicam (M) Sdn Bhd, for independent testing for 27 different parameters.
"The analysis shows that the parameters for 'heavy metals' in the ponds are within the regulatory limits set by the Ministry of Health.
"There are a few parameters under the 'metals' report that exceeded the limit but only a little, and can be treated by water treatment plants," Khairi explained.
Heavy metals are a group of metals such as mercury and lead, and can cause diseases if absorbed and accumulate in the human body in sufficient quantities.
NST reported today that it had collected water samples from the mining ponds in Bestari Jaya on May 4 and found that the water contained excessive quantities of lead, iron, manganese and nickel.
Denying the report, Ahmad Yunus stressed that "the water channelled to the taps is not raw water, but treated water that has gone through several treatment processes".
