Increasing water tariffs in Penang will help save wastage, says expert

THERE is an urgent need for conservation and to increase water tariff rates in Penang to discourage wastage, said water specialist Prof Datuk Dr Chan Ngai Weng.

Chan, who launched a campaign about saving water through his Water Watch non-governmental organisation, said public awareness about conservation should be the priority for the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).

He said campaigns to reduce water usage and to explore alternative sources from rainwater harvesting and underground catchment areas have failed because the state continues to chalk high usages.

"We can also come up with an incentive where consumers who save water and pay less in terms of their tariffs or get incentives such as discounts for municipality charges." 

Chan said that water use in Penang is the highest in Malaysia, while the tariffs imposed on the 1.7 million consumers here are among the lowest in the country.

PBAPP spends more than RM1 to treat every 1,000 litres but only sells to the consumers at around 30 sen per litre.

There is room to marginally increase the tariffs, said Chan.

"Like it or not, years of persuading consumers to save or use less water has not worked simply because the rates are too low. People do not have a conscience about wastage."

If the water tariffs are higher, comparable to other states and even Singapore, consumers here may think twice about wasting, said Chan.

Singapore's water charges are said to be 10% more than Penang.

Penang Consumers Protection Society chairman Datuk K. Koris Attan shares the same stance about conservation, saying that the period when taps run dry here, should be used to reflect on how to save water.

Koris said that if hiking tariffs is seen as the most effective then it can be considered provided it is not burdensome to the low-middle-income group such as the B40.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin from PKR, said that Penang has the highest usage of water.

"We use 303 litres per capita (lcd) per day. (Singapore 151 lcd, Selangor 235 lcd )."

This has caused Penang to become a water-stressed state, said Sim in a statement.

Penang consumes 1.260 million litres per day (MLD) and the PBAPP estimates it will increase to 1.483 MLD.

"Eighty per cent of our water source comes from one single river - Sungai Muda at about 1000 MLD. This is alarming. Our current water resources are unable to meet 1483 MLD by 2030. Something has to be done."

These are his suggestions; conserve water and fast-track the Sg Perak Water Transfer Scheme between neighbouring Perak and Penang.

It was reported that Perak has agreed in principle to sell treated water to Penang but it also depends on the funding from the Federal Government to construct a water treatment plant near the borderline of both states.

Other proposals are for Penang to invest in water infrastructure to have better connectivity while reducing the corrosion level of the pipe system.

Sim also urged PBAPP to meet the demand in the southwest district since there is a growing population in the biggest district on the island.

He added that the state should explore building the first desalination plant in Malaysia.

"This will ensure Penang will not over-reliance on water sources from other states. Penang must work towards water independence and water sovereignty," said Sim. - The Vibes, January 12, 2024.