BUKIT MERTAJAM – Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) has detected a noxious, pink-coloured gaseous influent in the sewer system following an underground explosion near a sewer pipeline in the Bukit Minyak industrial area yesterday.
The national sewerage operator said its operations team was immediately dispatched to investigate the blast site, with safety measures including area barricades put in place.
Initial assessments found the sewer network to be structurally sound with no apparent blockages, although the explosion had dislodged a manhole cover and damaged a nearby road culvert.
“Yesterday’s investigation also revealed a noxious, pink-coloured gaseous influent in the sewer system, indicative of illegal chemical discharge from a nearby factory,” said IWK in a statement.
“IWK has notified the Department of Environment (DOE) as well as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), and has requested assistance in identifying the source of the chemical spill into the sewer system.”
Meanwhile, Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations, John Sagun Francis, confirmed that no injuries were reported.
IWK added that a closed-circuit television (CCTV) inspection will be carried out upon obtaining the necessary approval from authorities to evaluate the internal condition of the sewer system prior to permanent repair works. As an immediate precaution, the displaced manhole cover has been temporarily secured.
“Sewer flow remains unaffected, indicating no internal obstruction or collapse at this stage. IWK remains fully committed to assisting authorities and further investigations,” the statement added.
Yesterday’s explosion occurred near a sewer line at Lengkok Perindustrian Bukit Minyak 2. The Penang Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at about 2.45pm and confirmed the incident involved a single blast.
Air quality monitoring was conducted at the scene, with no victims reported.
A total of 16 personnel from the Bandar Perda and Sungai Bakap fire stations responded to the incident, including a hazardous materials (hazmat) team from Sungai Bakap.
The department later confirmed that the hazmat unit recorded a neutral reading from the sewer fluid and found no further hazards at the site. – June 7, 2025.