Water association: Malaysia can save RM700m yearly

2009/11/07

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can save a whopping RM700 million yearly if it can reduce non-revenue water (NRW) by 12 per cent.

This was the finding of the Malaysian Water Association in its Water Industry Guide 2009.

NRW is water that has been produced but "lost" before it reaches the customer and its revenue is not recovered. These losses can be through leaks, theft or metering inaccuracies.

Last year, the NRW stood at 37 per cent, bringing a total loss of RM2.2 billion to the country. With such a large amount, water conservationists are deeply concerned.

Malaysian Water Partnership chairman Datuk Syed Muhammad Shahabudin said as water theft and vandalism were widespread, the authorities should develop ways to eliminate the problems.

"In Selangor, up to five per cent of NRW is due to theft and vandalism. Those in squatter areas, for example, tend to break the pipes and water suppliers like Syabas (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd) have to repair them at great cost."

Syed Muhammad said as a rule, treated water should not be available for free.

However, for hardcore poor, subsidised water was justifiable, provided that the cost was borne by the government.

"This way the water provider will be compensated."

Currently, Perak is providing free water supply of up to 20 cubic metres for some 10,000 families under the local community resettlement programme which costs RM400,000 annually.

In Selangor, each household gets free water supply for the first 20 cubic metres used.

Syed Muhammad said although the country is blessed with adequate supply of water, the public should learn to conserve the natural resource to help cut cost in the long run.

"One measure is to make it mandatory for all buildings to have dual flush systems, starting with government buildings.

"But there are also other alternatives like introducing water efficient equipment such as washing machines and shower heads which use low amount of water."

Recently, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui announced that all new government buildings to be built under the 10th Malaysia Plan must have at least one green feature like dual flush toilets.

Syed Muhammad said these were part of the findings and recommendations gathered at the National Colloquium on Water Demand Management held from Oct 19-21 at the Putra World Trade Centre.