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)