Cisadane River Pollution: Banten DLHK Seals Three Companies

The Banten Provincial Environmental and Hygiene Agency (DLHK) has sealed three companies suspected of polluting the Cisadane River in Teluknaga District, Tangerang Regency. Head of the Banten Provincial DLHK, Wawan Gunawan, stated that the sealing was carried out after an investigation into the sudden change in the Cisadane River’s water colour, which turned pitch black and emitted a pungent odour. Based on the investigation, the change in the river’s water quality was suspected to be caused by industrial waste pollution in the surrounding area. “There are three companies or industries that we have sealed because they do not have permits. Therefore, going forward, we will follow up on companies that do not have permits, taking direct action in accordance with the applicable regulations,” said Wawan, as quoted on Tuesday (21/7). Meanwhile, the Head of the Supervision and Control Section of the Tangerang Regency DLHK, Sandy Nugraha, said the three sealed companies operate in plastic recycling, aluminium smelting, and jeans laundry. “Three companies were sealed because they did not have permits. All three are located in Kampung Melayu Barat Village, Teluknaga District,” he said. Sandy revealed that two of the sealed companies, the ingot smelter and the jeans laundry, were proven to have contributed to the pollution of the Cisadane River because they lacked standard wastewater treatment plants (IPAL). “Therefore, we immediately sealed them. For now, the pollution has been confirmed from two companies, namely the plastic recycling and the laundry. Meanwhile, the ingot smelter is still under further investigation,” he said. Previously, the Cisadane River’s flow suddenly turned black and emitted a foul odour. This phenomenon occurred over the past week, and the water colour has now returned to normal.