Integrating Environmental Considerations into the Economic Decision-Making Process
Main items
Volume 2East and Southeast AsiaMalaysia Index
Previous Next
 

V. CASE STUDY: MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES IN KUALA LUMPUR

[ V-A | V-B | V-C | V-D ]

C. Protection of water quality and habitats

[ C | C-1 | C-2 | C-3| C-4| C-5| C-6| C-7| C-8 ]

5. Problems with groundwater in Kuala Lumpur

In the case of previous groundwater experimentation by Kuala Lumpur, chemically and biologically contaminated water has been reported to be present in industrial wells. That contamination may have been partly derived directly from drains, industrial areas and areas with no sewerage systems and poor drainage facilities, and which overlie porous limestone. It must be recognized that the hydrological regime is more or less a continuum and projects such as sanitary landfills, petroleum refineries, mines, liquid waste disposal plants and even estates without sewerage systems can be a cause for concern in relation to groundwater usage and contamination. It could also have been the result of well design and construction that permitted contamination from a shallow watertable to occur via the annulus outside the production casing. There was also evidence of salt or brackish water intrusion. Those findings have cast doubts on the viability of groundwater as a valuable and reliable resource, thus explaining its limited use in Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, possible action with regard to the management and conservation of groundwater in Kuala Lumpur should take into consideration the following points:

  • Kuala Lumpur has good groundwater prospects which could form a very important supplement to its present existing water supply system in the future;
  • The sand and gravel backfill from tin mining and the quaternary alluvium soil are good potential aquifers;
  • Groundwater quality in Kuala Lumpur is already reportedly suffering some pollution and is highly susceptible to further pollution. However, it may be possible to treat groundwater before releasing it into the supply system;
  • Although additional groundwater pollution could become a substantial problem, that could perhaps be prevented by the application of sound management practices and legislative procedures;
  • Future emphasis could be placed on groundwater exploration and development because of the size of the resource and its ready availability;
  • Suitable legislation should be considered for protecting groundwater resources and ensuring their long-term sustainability. The nature of the legislation should be such that it is compatible with the local scenario.
Top
Previous Next