Syabas plan for a dam in Ampang

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SYARIKAT Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has submitted a proposal to the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry for a dam to be built in Ampang, its chief executive officer, Datuk Ruslan Hassan, said.

“This will serve as an alternative water source for the Salak Tinggi water treatment plant and other areas during the dry season,” he said during a site visit to the Salak Tinggi water treatment plant (WTP) following its shutdown on Sunday.

This is the third shutdown due to raw water pollution this year. The first occurred on June 26 resulting in a shutdown for 49 hours and the second incident happened on July 6 and only resumed operations on Aug 19 after 47 days.

According to information provided by Syabas, the shutdown was due to objectional odour, foam and high ammonia content.

It’s high: Puncak Niaga manager Basser Ismail (left) showing Ruslan (right) and Puncak Niaga chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi the ammonia level at the Salak Tinggi water treatment plant.

At the press conference, Syabas general manager (Water resources and environmental surveillance department, Operations division) Roowina Merican said the latest test showed that the ammonia content measured 1.72 parts per million (ppm) at 2pm on Monday. The permissible level is below 1.5 ppm.

Since 2005, this plant has been shutdown 14 times and 2006 recorded the highest number so far, which is a total of six times.

Ruslan said Syabas was concerned if the treatment plant could function properly as the shutdowns occurred frequently.

“It (ammonia content) depends on the rain. If there’s no rain then the water level will not be high enough to be treated and it is also more concentrated.

“There’s a possiblity that the Salak Tinggi WTP may be shut down for good. The Jelutong and Pusu treatment plants have been returned to the state government as it cannot be treated any more. We hope that we do not have to reach that state,” he said of the Salak Tinggi WTP.

“We hope to come up with a permanent solution because right now the shutdown is just a temporary solution,” he said.

He said the best and most cost-effective solution was to raise awareness about water conservation.

“We will have a meeting with the relevant parties that operate in this area once we compile a list to discuss the solutions,” he said.