Residents complain about pollution

Residents complain about pollution

BOGOR (JP): A leather processing plant located on Jl. Raya
Tlajung Udik has been accused of disposing of its waste
improperly and polluting neighborhood wells, an official has
said.

Alamsyah MM, the head of the Environmental Impact Management
Agency in Bogor regency, said here on Thursday that the wells now
smelled bad and the water had changed color.

He said his office had investigated the case following reports
of pollution from locals living around the leather processing
plant, PT Sinar Gunung Putri.

"A laboratory test made on Oct. 5, 2000 indicated that the
residents' well water contained hazardous chemicals much higher
than the tolerable limit," he said, citing that the content of
nitrate in the water was too high.

Alamsyah said his office had officially reprimanded the
company, which has yet to respond. (21/sur)