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ThAnKaYuK fOr ViSiTinG oUr BLoG...MaKAcEH..MaY God BLesS u aLL...

ThE PoLLuTiOn oF SuNgAi JuRu; iTs pOLLuTaNtS aNd eFfEcTs...

Sungai Juru has been classified by the Department of Environment (DOE) as the most polluted river in Malaysia. Bernama reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed it as the dirtiest river in South East Asia. According to the report, the water is so toxic that it is unsafe for drinking even after being boiled. Its Water Quality Index remains at Grade V indicating that the river is excessively polluted and no fish would survive in such rivers. As more lands in the basin of Sungai Juru are turning into urbanized areas, the river is at risk of becoming an open wastewater sewers.

From information gathered and on-site investigations revealed that Sungai Juru pollution is caused by i) industrial wastes from the nearby industrial areas, ii) wet market waste, iii) household waste and iv) sewage wastewater from the residential /settlement areas. Human settlements including squatters along the riverbanks of Sungai Juru are not equipped with proper sanitary system. Domestic wastes are being dumped directly to the river. The drainage system built in the industrial sites is directly channeled to the river.




From the huge piles of floating debris spotted at the riverbank near the Juru dam, this rubbish consists of:-


* mineral water bottles,
* styrofoam,
* construction and household discard,
* food waste,
* plastic materials,
* engine oil containers,
* helmet,
* vehicle tyres
* and others .
Sungai Juru becoming a rubbish-strewn river !

The cumulating effects of pollution on Sungai Juru have far-reaching impact as reflected below :-
1. There were several reported past incidences whereby thousands of dead fish were seen floating in Kuala Sungai Juru. Fishermen blamed industrial pollution for the death of fish. They claimed that factories from nearby industrial area were releasing toxic waste to the river;


2. The livelihood of the fisherman community of about 100 of them residing near the river mouth of Sungai Juru has been affected. From information and feedback obtained from two fishermen; Sahidon Bin Noor , age 55 years old and Mahmood Bin Darus, age 48 years old on 27th August 2006 at the Jetty of Kuala Sungai Juru, it was revealed that fish and cockle production decreased sharply. As much as 60% of cockles harvested out from the coastal area off Kuala Sungai Juru are dead cockles due to water contamination and pollution compared to only 5% dead cockles during the previous good times. As cockle production drops, the fishermen are faced with tougher living conditions and forced to work doubly hard to earn the same level of income they used to in order to survive.


Fishermen; Sahidon Bin Noor & Mahmood Bin Darus in front of Persatuan Nelayan Kuala Sungai Juru Building (B) at the Jetty.


As much as 60% cockles harvested are dead or rejected cockles !


3. Some species of fish were already extinct at the Sungai Juru mostly because of pollution whilst other habitats as well as its flora and fauna are endangered or threatened with extinction;


4. Depleting mangrove swamps at the riverbanks of Sungai Juru have threatened the natural habitats and eco-system of the river. Mangrove plants along the riverbanks traditionally serve as trap and stabilize sediment, protection of shorelines from erosion, and nesting sites for birds.

Unlike air or haze pollution, the public is less sensitive to river pollution as most water pollution is not easily visible. Majorities of the communities are also not fully aware of the fact that whatever rubbish left or thrown on the ground, roads, public areas or uncollected overflow rubbish at trashes would be washed off by rainwater into drains which ultimately take it into the river system and pollute them.

ThaNk yOu fOr ViSitInG oUr bLoG...