Community environmental monitoring as a tool to combat water pollution in Malaysia

Malaysians perceive water pollution as a severe problem due to its negative impact on health, the environment, and the economy. The Environmental Quality Act of 1974 has not effectively addressed this problem due to the constraints of law enforcement. This paper assesses the application of community environmental monitoring to tackling water pollution in Malaysia. It reviews the literature on community environmental monitoring and how this initiative can help address water pollution. This paper also discusses the barriers to applying community environmental monitoring to water pollution. This paper recommends that community environmental monitoring can help the government’s initiatives to fight water pollution. However, the success of this strategy depends on solid partnerships among various stakeholders, especially the government and the community. The paper suggests ways to strengthen the community's involvement in preserving the country’s water resources.