By:
Dr. Edlic Sathiamurthy (Hydrologist)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Date : 5th August 2008
Regarding the pollution problem of Sungai Juru
Sources of pollutants are mainly from domestic sewage and agricultural runoff. My recent studied and past studies by other researchers discovered that organic pollutants are the main cause of the low water quality of this river.
This river generally has low dissolved oxygen levels corresponding to high BOD levels. These are very good indicators of water pollution.
As far as industrial waste, apparently heavy metals levels in Sungai Juru are not alarming. However, further studies on the accumulation of such pollutants in river and estuarine sediments are required.
Studies done have shown that SMI (small and medium industries) are main polluters compared to multi national companies. This could be due to the fact MNCs are more readily to abide by environmental standards than SMIs. Adherence to environmental standards requires capital on the producers’ side and enforcement on the authorities’ side. SMIs may not have the capital to install cleaner production technology compared to MNCs. The enforcement of environmental standards may be lacking on SMIs and some SMIs may not even be operating legally.
On a macro scale, government policies in themselves do incorporate environmental conservation and quality of life improvement. However, this has not been rigorously carried out since these ideas were conceptualized in Penang government plans in the early 1990s.
Hence, I would like to forward some important lessons learned and recommendations from my recent research entitled:
“Institutional Policies and their Implications on Land Use Change and the Environment: Lessons learned from Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia”
Lessons learned
The Seberang Perai experience over almost four decades has a number of lessons that is worthy of attention. First, it clearly point out that institutional policies are very powerful instruments of land use change and they can directly impact the environment. Economic progress is necessary but it needs not to be a necessary ‘evil’ that sacrifices environmental health. The PSDP 1, PSDP 2, PSP 2020 and NCER development policies have clearly stated aim on achieving sustainable growth that balances economic growth with social and environmental well being. Perplexedly, environmental degradation continued through PSDP 1, PSDP 2 and now into the early stage of PSP 2020 despite standing policies and many environmental reports. This is apathy towards the environment in the passion to achieve economic prominence. Malaysian environmental laws, planning act and standards are well in place, however conscientious and effective enforcement is an issue that needs examination. The public and industries themselves require some form of ‘soul searching’ as they are the main source of pollution for decades. Hence, change of attitude is a key ingredient to ensure sustainable growth. This change of attitude cannot be induced by policies alone rather it needs to originate from within individuals because at end it is individuals who will make a difference collectively.
Second, there are signs of greater government and public awareness. On the part of Penang’s government, PSP 2020 has lay out stronger key development aspect. Land use development up to 2020 will focus on existing and identified development areas. Thus, development will be controlled and integrated with environmental concern. Three concepts of environmental conservation are integrated, i.e. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) and Biodiversity Plan. Basically, under these concepts, the environment would be treated as a whole system linked to socio-economic systems through chains of causation. However, how far this will be implemented is yet to be seen. It should be noted that ICZM has been mentioned as part of environmental conservation efforts as early as 1991 in PSDP 1 and yet the coastal zones are still polluted.
One important aspect of PSP 2020 is that Penang’s economy will be transformed from a manufacturing economy to more ‘cleaner’ knowledge economy. This implies that new production process would become less polluting. However, it is not clear how this policy will impact existing manufacturing processes.
Public awareness level has risen mainly through campaigns by non governmental organizations supported by the government. However, the level of awareness is still low among the whole population. NGOs like Friends of Juru River and Water Watch Penang have managed to involve the public in environmental conservation efforts with some measure of success (Friends of Sungai Juru, 2008; Water Watch Penang, 2008). Water Watch Penang (WWP) activities have the support of Penang’s Chief Minister. The Chief Minister participated in some of WWP water resource conservation activities such as the World Water Day celebration. This is an important link between the government, NGOs and public which must be reinforced.
Third, the level of public and industry awareness has to be raised further. A more effective public, NGO, academia and industry participation in government policy making is required. This can be achieved through measures such as follows.
Detailed information regarding development plans should be more accessible to the public and academia. Development plan should be exposed in mass media and through public exhibitions in town and village halls. At present, such exhibition is limited to cities and government offices which make it obscure to the general public.
The public, NGO and academia should be involved in decision making. Their participation should not be limited to just giving suggestions and making protests rather there should be mechanism that empower them to be an effective part of decision making. NGOs such as residential associations are important and must be included in planning process and awareness campaign. It is through residential associations that the message could reach grass roots level. In short, the opinions and concerns of the public, NGOs and academia must be treated as worthy of modifying policies and have legal ramifications. This would make the public and policy planners feel accountable and hence could reduce apathy.
There must be also an open dialogue between the public, NGOs, academia, government and industries during the initial stages of policy development. This is to ensure the feedbacks from interested parties are taken into account.
Fourth, employ IRBM and ICZM concept purposely. They should not remain as words. These concepts require the involvement of all stake holders, i.e. NGOs, residential associations, universities (expert opinion), industry. Better development and conservation plans could be made and implemented effective if it involve all parties. Each opinion and suggestion counts. For example, the fishermen of Juru estuary had suffered in the past and they are still suffering economically as a result of river pollution. There is no mechanism that ensures their voice is being heard by the industries and residents of Juru River basin. Legal and moral accountability plus a long term solution is needed. A combination of apathy and ignorance will perpetuate the socio-economic impact of environmental degradation on those who depends on the well being of the environment for their livelihood.
Implementation of IRBM and ICZM also requires greater inter-governmental cooperation between federal and state level departments and agencies. Fragmented laws, institutions and unclear jurisdiction have become an obstruction to sustainable resource development and management. Hence, a panel of government departments and agencies is needed to create better cooperation and consultation. At present, the municipal council has the greatest authority in making decisions that would affect local land use. For long term purpose, this authority needs to be shifted to a river basin authority that is empowered to coordinate and integrate activities within a river basin presently conducted under of various departments and agencies. At national level, state-federal government relation with regards to water and land resources need to reviewed to ensure management efficiency. Water and land resources currently are under state jurisdiction.
Another important aspect of environmental conservation is the establishment of environmental baseline database. This requires better air, water and marine monitoring network and a decision support system or DSS. Presently, there are only two continuous air monitoring stations in Seberang Perai. Continuous water quality monitoring is confined to Perai River only when River Juru which is even more polluted does not have any stations. Thus, more stations are needed.
The baseline environmental database should be part of a DSS that is integrated with the existing Penang Geographic Information System or PeGIS. The DSS-PeGIS set up will provide baseline and also current spatial-environmental data that would aid decision making.
Fifth, a more pronounced environmental impact assessment or EIA component should be incorporated into structural development plans. It is strange that development plans that could cause extensive land use change and long term environmental impact does not have a clear potential environmental impact assessment.
Recommendations:
1- Government through NGOs should set up community dialogue group instead of just public awareness campaign. Dialogue groups will engage people and authorities in direct discussion and solution making. This will get people participate in caring for Juru’s environment.
2- Value public opinions by empowering residential associations with certain powers to make decisions that benefit their immediate community. MPSP can play the role of regulating such associations.
3- Set up public-industrial-academia and industries panel to find better solutions to environmental problems. All stakeholders must be involved.
4- Employ economic incentives for SMIs to clean up their production. Get unlicensed SMIs registered and shut down those who refuses to register.
5- Set-up a continuous water quality monitoring station for Juru River basin. Baseline data are very important for good policy and decision making. There is no such station presently.
Regarding flood problem of Sungai Juru
Sungai Juru flood problems are a combination of several factors. Some are beyond human control but others are not. The main factors are:
Natural factors – beyond human control
1- Juru river is a tidal river. Tidal intrusion can reach up to upper Sungai Rambai. High tide coinciding with high river flow will result in overflows. Parit 4 and Sungai Rambai in the past flood events had overflowed its banks causing severe floods.
2- Extreme rainfall event. Northwestern states of Peninsular Malaysia are influenced by typhoon events off the coast of Vietnam and also in the Bay of Bengal. Such events would bring very heavy rainfalls that result in high river flows.
Human factor – within our control
1- Floods in Sungai Juru are aggravated by high surface runoffs from urban areas. Juru River Basin especially Rambai Valley is a very developed area. New development areas in Alma and Bandar Perda will contribute higher flows due to its urban surface. Land development is something which can be regulated and managed.
Recommendations:
1- A long term solution requires a more refined land development plan. The local structural plan should seriously pay attention to managing surface runoffs. There is not enough emphasis on flood mitigation and prevention in government plans.
2- Further development into the paddy fields of Permatang Pauh should be halted. These areas are very important flood retention areas.
3- Further encroachment into the wetlands of Sungai Rambai should be stopped. These wetlands help to reduce peak flows.
4- Control at source measures should be implemented on all urban areas. Measures such rainfall harvesting and reuse can help to reduce surface runoffs.
5- Development in the Kilang Ubi sub-basin should be controlled by reducing the density of paved surfaces and increase high infiltration zones (green areas). Employ urban garden or garden city concept.
My past research on Sungai Juru
• Refereed Articles in Journals/Books
o Sathiamurthy, E. and Chan, N.W. (2006). Hydrodynamic behaviour change at Rambai River Outlet, Juru River Basin, Penang, Malaysian Journal of Environmental Management, UKM, 7, 59 – 75.
o Sathiamurthy, E. (2005). The hydrological impact of future urbanization in the Rambai River valley, Penang Malaysia, Journal of Physical Science, USM, 16, 87 – 102
• Research Papers Accepted for Publications (Refereed journals)
o Sathiamurthy, E. (2008). Institutional policies and their implications on land use change and the environment: lessons learned from Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability, Common Ground (United States) , (in press).
o Sathiamurthy, E., Goh, K.C. and Chan, N.W. (2008). Loss of storage areas due to future urbanization at Upper Rambai River and its hydrological impact on Rambai Valley, Penang, Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Physical Science, USM, (in press).
• Proceeding of Conference/Seminar/Workshop
o Sathiamurthy, E. and Chan, N.W. (2005). Hydrodynamic behaviour change due to channel modification at Rambai River outlet, Juru River Basin, Penang. Environmental Management 2005 (Proceedings of the National Seminar on Environmental Management 2005 held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 4-5 July 2005), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 15-27
• Book of Abstract of Conference/Seminar/Workshop (Paper presented and keynote address)
o Sathiamurthy, E. (2008). Effect of potential sea level rise on the hydrodynamic behaviour of tidal rivers. Paper presented at the IOC-WESTPAC 7th International Scientific Symposium, 21-25 May 2008, Kota Kinabalu
o Sathiamurthy, E. and Chan, N.W. (2005). The application of GPS and remote sensing technology in hydrological modeling of a coastal floodplain: A case study of Rambai Valley, Penang. Paper presented at the 4th Malaysian Remote Sensing and GIS Conference and Exhibition, 5-6 April 2005, Kuala Lumpur
o Sathiamurthy, E. and Goh, K.C. (2001). Hydrological modeling of coastal floodplain on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A case study of the Juru River Basin, Penang. Paper presented at the SEAGA 6, 2001 International Conference: Southeast Asia’s Quality of Life in the New Millennium, 12-15 November 2001, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi
• Unpublished Reports/Articles
o Points to Ponder (a presentation on the flood issues of Rambai River, Penang), Commonwealth Geographical Bureau’s Workshop on Human Consequences of Climate Change – 16 June 2005
o Impact of Land Cover Changes in Rambai Valley, Penang – 12 September (FRGS USM and NTU, Singapore)
written by admin
\\ tags: Juru river pollution
