Water supplies in several areas in the district of Jasin including Sungai Rambai and Merlimau will be cut for several days from yesterday.

This is to overcome the problem of pollution at the Dam 5 water gate of Sungai Kesang, Johor since last week, believed to be caused by industrial waste water.

Sungai Rambai state assemblyperson Hasan Rahman said he had discussed with Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad (SAMB) and the Ledang District Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) on releasing water from the gate to overcome the problem.

“The water pH value has reached 2.8 indicating it is acidic, so the water at the gate has to be released out to sea before we refill it using water supply from the Chohong plant, Jasin,” he told reporters after visiting Dam 5 water gate in Jasin yesterday.

He said the affected residents could apply for water supply with SAMB.

The release of polluted water would be handled by the Ledang district JPS and it was expected to take at least three days to reconnect suppply to residents, he said.

In the meantime, he confirmed that at least 10 residents in Kampung Sungai Rambai had to seek outpatient treatment at the Malacca Hospital after complaining of stomach ache and itchiness believed to be due to the water pollution.

- Bernama