SHAH ALAM, 6 Dec 2019:
All states have agreed in principle to implement water tariff adjustments expected by next year, said Water, Lands and Natural Resource Minister Datuk Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar.
The ministry is still negotiating on a number of matters before it is finalised, Dr Xavier said, adding that he would hold full discussions with the relevant states on the new water tariffs, soon.
“Water tariffs have not been revised for the last 20 years.We want people to understand that the water industry requires a lot of funds to reduce the risk of supply disruptions. However, the government assures that (new) water tariffs will not burden consumers.”
He said the new utility tariff would not exceed 2% of household spending, which was seen as reasonable.
Dr Xavier said the government was also prepared to amend the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Wasia) next year to streamline procedures and regulations, including involving private companies in the development of the national water industry.
The proposed implementation of the mechanism involves an increase of 0.06 sen to 0.71 sen per 1,000 litres, quite low compared to other utilities such as electricity, gas and telecommunications.
The current average water tariff rate is RM1.38 per 1,000 litres compared to the actual cost of RM2.31 per 1,000 litres.
Later, Perak has decided not to raise the domestic water tariffs as the state government can still afford to subsidise its people’s water consumption, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
He said, however, if there was a need to increase the water tariffs, there might be a minimal increase for commercial and business use.
He explained that the matter had been discussed with the Perak Water Board.
“It is true that the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources has contacted all the states and Perak has discussed and conducted a study on the need to increase water tariffs since last year.
“But we were also thinking about the welfare and well-being of the people.”
Meanwhile in MELAKA, as many as 44 areas in three districts of the state are experiencing water shortages due to low rainfall over Sungai Melaka lately.
Syarikat Air Melaka Bhd (SAMB) said in a statement on its Facebook page the situation had caused the water level in the catchment and Sungai Melaka to be in unsatisfactory condition.
“Sebukor Water Treatment Plant reduced its operation by 22 million litres per day (MLD) and the Bertam Water Plant decreased by 34 MLD and caused some areas in the three districts to be affected.
“However, we released the water from the Durian Tunggal Dam to Sungai Melaka to ensure that the level of water in Sungai Melaka was stabilised at about 9.20pm yesterday night and the plant operation was carried out as usual at 11.30am.”
The statement said the affected areas of Central Melaka were Lorong Pandan, Kesidang, Kampung Lapan, Kota Laksamana, Semabok, Bachang, Batu Berendam, Taman Sayang Selasih, Limbongan, Klebang Besar, Ujong Pasir (expected to be affected) Kandang, Padang Temu, Bukit Godek , Taman Seri Duyong, Taman Sri Duyong Section 1, 2 and 3, Taman Desa Duyong, Permatang Pasir, Bukit Lintang and Alai.
In the Jasin district, areas affected are Kampung Jus, Selandar, Kampung Bukit Senggeh, Felda Bukit Komeng, Felda Sri Kemendor, Felda Air Kangkung, Taman Sri Kemendor, Kampung Sri Kesang, Jalan Selandar Permai, Taman Jus Perdana, Taman Selandar Indah, Taman Pelangi, Taman Sri Selandar, Taman Selandar Murni, Kampung Baru Selandar, Taman Bukit Senggeh, Institut Latihan Perindustrian Selandar and Kolej Komuniti.
For the Alor Gajah district, affected areas are Bukit Bulat, Menggong, Melaka Pindah, Machap Umboo, Pengkalan and Hutan Percha.
SAMB said water tanker assistance would be deployed to areas that had been cut off for more than 24 hours and were working hard to rehabilitate the affected catchment pools to ensure the water supply reached every customer’s premises.
It added consumer cooperation during the interruption period was greatly appreciated and apologised for the inconvenience.
SAMB said any inquiries could be directed to their 24-hour customer service centre at 15800 or click https://kliksini.my/PKPSAMB for complaints and inquiries via SMS / Whatsapp.
– Bernama