DEMAND for water in the country is expected to increase by 103 per cent by 2050, revealed a national water resource study.
According to National Water Services Commission chairman Charles Santiago, this demand would be unsustainable though Malaysia is blessed with high volumes of rainfall.
“Access to clean water in the country now stands at 97% covering rural and urban areas.
“However, we must remind ourselves of the 2014 to 2016 series of El-Nino and how it impacted Malaysia, leaving numerous dried up dams and water storage reservoirs, water cuts and loss of businesses,” he said at an international water conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Last year, residents in Kelantan complained of water from taps that resembled milky tea.
"In Langkawi, specifically in Kuah, taps went dry from Jan 31, this year and still continues to grapple with water cuts and low water pressure. Imagine their frustration as we experience scorching heat. We need to act fast to implement water conservation plans,” he said.
The water services industry in Malaysia is a huge industry involving vast water assets, infrastructure and operations which are ongoing 24 hours – seven days a week without a break.
"We serve over 7.5 million accounts and administer 133.827 kilometres of pipes."
For an industry with such scale, Santiago said it is important to understand the operational challenges surrounding the industry.
Non-Revenue Water (NRW) has been one of the consistent challenges of the water services industry, he said.
“Approximately a third of our treated water is wasted due to leakages and other factors. NRW losses amounted to an estimated RM2.18 billion in 2022, or RM 8.05 billion from 2018 to 2022.
“Reducing NRW needs to be given priority as this would also lead to building fewer treatment plants, " he added. - The Vibes, April 25, 2024.
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