C. Java factories pollute Semarang

C. Java factories pollute Semarang

SEMARANG: The Central Java provincial environmental impact
management agency (Bapedalda) estimates that around 800 companies
are contributing to the high level of pollution in Semarang.

"The pollution from these companies is both solid and liquid
waste as well as air pollution," head of Semarang's Bapedalda
Widi Widodo said on Saturday afternoon.

Widi however, declined to name the companies.

He said the pollution resulted from a lack of adequate waste
treatment facilities at these factories, causing poor quality of
soil, water and a putrid odor surrounding the factories.

"We monitor the rivers and also water from the wells in the
residential areas located in the vicinity of the factories," he
added.

Separately Semarang Mayor Sukawi Sutarif also aired his
concern over environmental pollution in his mayoralty.

"The mayoralty is now working on a bylaw to control
environmental pollution, although it will also take some time to
make the business community here aware of it," Sukawi said. (har)