KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor state government will absorb the additional costs for over one million people, encompassing 285,673 accounts currently enjoying free water supply under the Skim Air Darul Ehsan (Sade).
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that each household benefiting from Sade, previously receiving free water valued at RM11.40 monthly, will get RM13 monthly.
The state government's financial commitment is expected to rise from RM31.8 million to an estimated RM37.3 million annually.
"The state government will also absorb the increase in cost for places of worship and welfare institutions at an estimated cost of RM2 million annually.
"All in all, we will bear an estimated cost of RM40 million annually to provide free water via Sade and absorb the increase in tariffs at places of worship and welfare institutions," he said in a statement today.
Amiruddin assured residents that the funds allocated in the 2024 Selangor state budget for the free water assistance programme are sufficient.
The menteri besar also said the state would collaborate with the federal government and the National Water Services Commission (Span) to minimise the impact of the new water tariff on Selangor residents.
Selangor's domestic water tariff rates are set for adjustment, marking the first change in 18 years since 2006, effective Feb 1.
Amirudin detailed the adjustments, including an increase in the minimum charge for domestic users and changes in charges based on water usage.
He said the minimum charge for domestic users increases from RM6.00 to RM6.50, while for water usage up to 20 cubic metres, the charge per cubic metre rises by 8 sen to 65 sen.
"For water usage exceeding 35 cubic metres, the new rate is RM2.63 per cubic metre compared to the old rate of RM2.00."
For condominiums, he said the minimum tariff will remain at RM173 a month, but the domestic rate will increase from RM1.38 to RM1.68 per cubic metre.
"Government estates and quarters will see a 68-sen increase, reaching RM1.68, and a new minimum charge of RM16.80 per month compared to the previous RM12.00.
"Low-cost houses will experience a slight hike, with a new rate of RM0.98 per cubic metre, the lowest charge and the smallest increase for all residential categories, namely 18 sen per cubic metre," he said.
He said commercial and non-domestic users consuming up to 35 cubic metres of water would see tariffs raised from RM2.62 per cubic metre to RM2.70.
Amirudin said places of worship and welfare institutions are given a flat and minimum rate, with an increase of 6 sen per cubic meter to RM0.66.
For ships, the new rate will change from RM7 to RM7.08.
The menteri besar also said the state government is extending an opportunity for Selangor residents with an income of RM5,000 or below to apply for free water via Seda.
Those interested can find detailed information and access the application process on the official website: https://www.airselangor.com/residential/skim-air-darul-ehsan/.
Yesterday, Span announced that the new water tariffs for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan would involve an average increase of 22 sen per cubic metre, effective from Feb 1.
This adjustment is expected to impact approximately 6.9 million users in the domestic category, representing 86.6 per cent of the 7.9 million account holders.
The 22-sen increase constitutes the average increase for every 1,000 litres of water used.
The new water tariff is anticipated to result in escalated billing ranging from RM1.60 to RM8 for each residence or an increase of five to 27 sen per day for households using 20 cubic metres of water per month.