SPAN chairman Charles Santiago said the incident was caused by factories polluting two rivers feeding four water treatment plants.

This was why SPAN could not take action on the utility company over the issue, which affected hundreds of areas across the Klang Valley.

“Air Selangor had to handle the problem, it did not cause it,” he said at a press conference here today.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) had called for stringent action against Air Selangor over the water disruptions, accusing SPAN of not holding the company accountable.

Santiago said SPAN has recommended that existing laws be enforced more strictly on premises like factories. He said physical checks on these premises should be conducted every time a factory applies to renew its business licence.

He also said the environment department must tighten its inspections before approving Environmental Impact Assessment reports, as well as its control of waste discharge into rivers.

“SPAN also requests that the Selangor government conduct inspections on all factories or business premises involved in plastic waste recycling, particularly in high-risk areas,” he said.