Thursday, April 30, 2009
Singapore yesterday rebutted a report published in Malaysia's New Straits Times newspaper which claimed that Causeway is a source of pollution in the Johor Straits and demolishing Causeway to release water will solve the problem.
Singapore's High Commission in Malaysia also dismissed allegations that waste discharged from the Singapore side had led a deterioration of the water quality in the Straits.
Dr Low cited a study. It found conclusive evidence that discharges from the Kranji sewerage plant and Senoko plant had contributed to the poor water quality in the Straits. Singapore's High Commission yesterday said the study did not identify the Causeway as a cause of pollution in the Johor Straits. "Indications from the study are that Causeway opening could not be justified in benefit/cost terms in either the short or long term. Benefits are restricted to a marginal improvement in dissolved oxygen levels," said the statement citing the report.
The report identified the main sources of pollution as Sungei Segget, Sungei Skudai, Sungei Tebrau, Pasir Gudang and Sungei Johor, said the High Commission citing the study.
The study also noted that to improve water quality in the Straits, it was necessary to remove pollution in the form of untreated sewage, and wastewater from industries and agriculture at source.
Singapore side, it said that the only source of pollution identified was treated effluent from two water reclamation plants. The High Commission's statement said Singapore had already taken steps to tackle the issue.
"Singapore is diverting this treated effluent away from the Straits of Johor and into the Straits of Singapore through a deep tunnel sewerage system, which is now under construction," it said. "In addition, Singapore's major rivers have been, or are in the process of being dammed up to form reservoirs to collect water for drinking."
Dr Low was commissioned by the company Gerbang Perdana to carry out environmental impact studies on the Strait. Over the past few weeks, Gerdang Perdana--the contractor building the $1.09 billion Southern Integrated Gateway, which includes building a new bridge across the Causeway--has been issuing a series of reports on the conditions of the Causeway to make a case for a new bridge.
The cost of a new bridge to replace the Causeway is about $500 million and Malaysia wants Singapore to share part of the cost. Singapore has maintained its position that the construction of the bridge can happen only if there are benefits to both sides.
The causeway between Singapore and Malaysia is very important as it transport the necessary food,items,etc.But now,the causeway is actually causing pollutions to the Malaysia and Malaysia is pushing the blames to Singapore.We are very glad that everything is being solved now but we can't have the thought that since it is solved so it is not our problem.We still have to play a part to help Singapore to be clean.
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