GEORGE TOWN, April 23 — Environmentalists have expressed concern over the polluted waters of Sungai Batu Ferringhi, which flows into the sea.

Malaysian Nature Society adviser Kanda Kumar said this was not the first time such an incident had happened in Penang. A senior state official said yesterday raw sewage, among others, had contaminated the river.

“This is similar to the 2014 episode where the same river was polluted by discharge from Indah Water Konsortium’s (IWK) sewage plant,” he said.

“The contaminated water is causing fish to die and this is affecting the livelihood of the fishermen.”

Responding to Malay Mail’s front page report over the black waters which had also irked holiday makers and traders along the river and Batu Ferringhi beach, he said the state government must take action against those responsible for the fiasco.

“If IWK is at fault, then action must be taken. This cannot go on.”

Mohmad Afandi Ahmad, an environmentalist from Kumpulan Sahabat Alam, said water sources, especially rivers, must be protected at all cost.

“The prolonged heat is not helping and we need our waters to be clean. Some dams and rivers in the country are drying up but our waters are contaminated here.

“We must stop polluting the rivers and save them for the sake of the future,” he added.

On Wednesday, Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) voiced their concern and said many had complained about the stench from the river.

IWK communications senior manager Shahrul Nizam Sulaiman said the company was working with the authorities to identify the source of the pollution.

“There are also other discharge sources near Sungai Batu Ferringhi like food stalls, car wash outlets and septic tanks.

“Together with the Department of Environment, we have been monitoring the quality of effluent discharged from our plant. The results have been satisfactory.”

He said the plant was being upgraded and works are expected to be completed next year.

In the 2014 episode, traces of E-coli bacteria were found in the waters and IWK was held responsible for the contamination.

Shahrul said IWK had since taken additional efforts, including frequent sampling, to improve the quality of water in the river.