PENANG’S new water tariff rates will come into effect on July 1 after being postponed for 12 months, involving increases for domestic and non-domestic consumers in the state.
Chairman of the state's Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee, Zairil Khir Johari, said the new rates would affect about 82 per cent of domestic consumers who use 35 cubic metres of water or less per month, with an increase of 8.5 per cent or a maximum of RM2.55 per month, making the bill increase from RM29.95 to RM32.50.
He said that for non-domestic users, including factories, hotels and commercial premises, the new rates will see an increase of around 7.3 per cent, with users using up to 500 cubic metres per month paying up to an additional RM77.70, which is an increase from RM1,064 to RM1,141.70.
“The rate was gazetted by the Federal Government on July 30 last year, before being postponed by the state government for 12 months and is now being re-implemented.
“The adjustment was made to ensure the continuity of water supply services, financing of critical projects and to address the increase in PBAPP operating costs,” he said today.
Zairil added that water consumption in the state had now increased to 865 million litres per day last year and was expected to increase by 34.3 per cent to 1,162 million litres per day by 2032.
“Domestic water consumption in Penang also recorded 267 litres per capita per day, the highest in Malaysia compared to the national average of 225 litres,” he said.
Meanwhile, PBAPP Chief Executive Officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, said the average cost of water treatment and distribution was RM2.43 per cubic metre, while domestic users for the first block still paid around 62 sen per cubic metre due to subsidies. – June 4, 2026
