Latest news with #riverpollution
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
DPM Fadillah: While most rivers are clean, pollution in 27 key waterways calls for tougher wastewater discharge standards
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Twenty-seven rivers, or four per cent of the 672 major rivers monitored nationwide in 2024, were found to be polluted, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said that, based on a report by the Department of Environment (DOE), of the 672 rivers, 475 or 71 per cent were classified as clean, while another 170 or 25 per cent fell into the moderately polluted category. Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said that the main pollutant parameters identified included Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammonia Nitrogen (AN), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). 'Overall, there are no rivers in the country at level five, which indicates severe (pollution), but several still require attention to ensure they reach a safe level. 'We want to ensure that river water is not only (suitable) for people to bathe and enjoy recreational activities but, most importantly, for consumption,' he told reporters after chairing the Special Committee to Address Deterioration of River Water Quality (JKKAS) meeting here today. Meanwhile, Fadillah said the meeting proposed that state authorities enforce new standards for urban and rural wastewater effluent discharges, based on a study by the National Water Research Institute (NAHRIM). He said it covered 11 main parameters, including pH, BOD, COD, suspended solids, oil and grease, nitrogen, mercury, colour and solid waste. Fadillah said the meeting also agreed on the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) organising a workshop to outline the standards for drainage water discharge into river basins, involving various agencies, particularly the local authorities responsible for drainage management. He also suggested that state governments adopt locally developed technology by NAHRIM, including suspended load extractors, oil and grease traps using IoT technology, and the Intriguard system for marking river reserves to prevent external pollution from entering river basins. 'The implementation of this strategic step is expected to significantly improve river water quality, ensure environmental sustainability, safeguard public health, and support the country's economic development in addressing the challenges of climate change and global pollution,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
DPM: While most rivers are clean, pollution in 27 key waterways calls for tougher wastewater discharge standards
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Twenty-seven rivers, or four per cent of the 672 major rivers monitored nationwide in 2024, were found to be polluted, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He said that, based on a report by the Department of Environment (DOE), of the 672 rivers, 475 or 71 per cent were classified as clean, while another 170 or 25 per cent fell into the moderately polluted category. Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said that the main pollutant parameters identified included Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammonia Nitrogen (AN), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). 'Overall, there are no rivers in the country at level five, which indicates severe (pollution), but several still require attention to ensure they reach a safe level. 'We want to ensure that river water is not only (suitable) for people to bathe and enjoy recreational activities but, most importantly, for consumption,' he told reporters after chairing the Special Committee to Address Deterioration of River Water Quality (JKKAS) meeting here today. Meanwhile, Fadillah said the meeting proposed that state authorities enforce new standards for urban and rural wastewater effluent discharges, based on a study by the National Water Research Institute (NAHRIM). He said it covered 11 main parameters, including pH, BOD, COD, suspended solids, oil and grease, nitrogen, mercury, colour and solid waste. Fadillah said the meeting also agreed on the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) organising a workshop to outline the standards for drainage water discharge into river basins, involving various agencies, particularly the local authorities responsible for drainage management. He also suggested that state governments adopt locally developed technology by NAHRIM, including suspended load extractors, oil and grease traps using IoT technology, and the Intriguard system for marking river reserves to prevent external pollution from entering river basins. 'The implementation of this strategic step is expected to significantly improve river water quality, ensure environmental sustainability, safeguard public health, and support the country's economic development in addressing the challenges of climate change and global pollution,' he said. — Bernama
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Anglers fear up to 46,000 fish dead after ‘devastating' kill on Blackwater in Co Cork
Anglers in north Co Cork believe up to 46,000 fish may have died in a 'devastating' kill on a section of the river Blackwater. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is investigating the cause of the kill, saying that present indications suggest between 8,000 and 10,000 wild fish mortalities occurred on a 30km stretch of the river between Lombardstown and Killavullen as well as tributaries such as the Clyde and Awbeg. The State agency is basing the estimate on its observations and data submitted by local stakeholders. However, angling clubs say the numbers are much higher, at up to 46,000, and impact on every species present in the river including trout, salmon, stickleback, dace and fresh water eel. READ MORE Dan Dennehy, club secretary of Kanturk and District Trout Anglers, described the fish kill as 'devastating' and 'off the scale'. 'Salmon, eels, trout – thousands and thousands of them. We don't know the extent of it or what is causing it,' he said. He said it was one of the biggest fish kills he was aware of in the State. 'There is a load of unanswered questions in relation to it,' he added. Mr Dennehy said Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Timmy Dooley and Cork North-West TD and Minister of State Michael Moynihan visited the river and met local anglers. 'I presume they will bring in experts to regenerate the river,' he said. 'It is desperate to see. If you see the glory of the trout in the river and then you see them dead there is no comparison. The numbers are just savage.' An alliance of game angling federations described the fish kill as a 'wipeout of the river'. Seán Long, director of IFI's South-Western river Basin District, said the Marine Institute conducted diagnostic sampling of affected fish at Mallow on August 14th. He said a report was expected within three weeks. 'Disease outbreaks can occur in wild fish populations and are influenced by numerous factors including environmental change,' he said. 'No evidence of a polluting or harmful discharge has been detected to date in the river.' He previously said it appeared that many of the dead fish had a fungal infection, though it was not clear if this was the primary cause of their deaths. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said 'preliminary sample results indicate no causal link between the fish kill and discharges' from sites it has licensed. IFI is consulting with Uisce Éireann , the EPA, Cork County Council and the Marine Institute on the matter. The institute's fish health unit has advised that the removal of dead fish from the water is not necessary.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Deep concern' over signs and trolleys in river
A wildlife trust has said it is "deeply concerned" after traffic signs, road cones and rusty shopping trolleys were found in a river. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is urging the public to protect waterways after a large amount of debris was discovered in the River Biss in Trowbridge by staff from the town council. "Recently items such as roadworks cones, signs, shopping trolleys, baskets and various bottles and cans were discovered in the river," a council spokesperson said. It comes after the Environment Agency said earlier this year that rusty trolleys in the river could pose a "potential flood risk". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire "We will continue to take action to remove debris and encourage the community to do their part in keeping our rivers clean," Trowbridge Town Council said. Shopping trolleys and an office chair were also found dumped in the same part of the river last November. The Environment Agency is responsible for managing the River Biss alongside the town council. "Litter in watercourses isn't just a public nuisance, it can be a flood risk and bad for the environment," an Environment Agency spokesperson said. "If you spot rubbish which could cause a flood risk or pollution, please report it via our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60." Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said rubbish in the river is not just an eyesore, but a symptom of a wider environmental issue. "Our rivers are corridors for nature, they are habitats for species that cannot live elsewhere such as the water vole, otter, and kingfisher, as well as a rich diversity of fish, insects, and plants," it said. "The presence of large-scale litter and fly-tipped items poses a direct threat to this wildlife through entanglement, physical injury, and the leaching of harmful pollutants that degrade water quality for years to come. "We urge the public to help us protect these precious habitats by ensuring all waste is disposed of responsibly and by reporting any incidents of fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council immediately." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Campaigners want Thames Water fine spent on clean up Solstice campers leave rubbish and human waste Norman the donkey encourages people to litter pick Trowbridge Town Council Environment Agency
BBC News
28-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
River Biss rubbish causing 'deep concern' in Trowbridge
A wildlife trust has said it is "deeply concerned" after traffic signs, road cones and rusty shopping trolleys were found in a Wildlife Trust is urging the public to protect waterways after a large amount of debris was discovered in the River Biss in Trowbridge by staff from the town council."Recently items such as roadworks cones, signs, shopping trolleys, baskets and various bottles and cans were discovered in the river," a council spokesperson comes after the Environment Agency said earlier this year that rusty trolleys in the river could pose a "potential flood risk". "We will continue to take action to remove debris and encourage the community to do their part in keeping our rivers clean," Trowbridge Town Council trolleys and an office chair were also found dumped in the same part of the river last Environment Agency is responsible for managing the River Biss alongside the town council."Litter in watercourses isn't just a public nuisance, it can be a flood risk and bad for the environment," an Environment Agency spokesperson said."If you spot rubbish which could cause a flood risk or pollution, please report it via our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60." 'Direct threat' Wiltshire Wildlife Trust said rubbish in the river is not just an eyesore, but a symptom of a wider environmental issue."Our rivers are corridors for nature, they are habitats for species that cannot live elsewhere such as the water vole, otter, and kingfisher, as well as a rich diversity of fish, insects, and plants," it said."The presence of large-scale litter and fly-tipped items poses a direct threat to this wildlife through entanglement, physical injury, and the leaching of harmful pollutants that degrade water quality for years to come."We urge the public to help us protect these precious habitats by ensuring all waste is disposed of responsibly and by reporting any incidents of fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council immediately."
