SHAH ALAM, May 17 — The state government is confident they have enough water reserves to last for the next five to six months, Selangor exco for youth and sports, infrastructure and public utilities Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi said yesterday.
Amid fears Malaysians may have to endure another round of water rationing, especially during the month of Ramadan, Ahmad Yunus said water level at the Sungai Selangor dam had risen to 41.75 per cent this week.
“Cloud seeding operations and alternative water sources will continue so that the level will hopefully reach 65 per cent.
“We cannot make any guarantees about future water rationing, but these efforts will be continued. We estimate that the current rainy season will continue until early June,” he said.
He also assured water obtained from pumping operations from Hang Tuah mining pool to the dam, which were carried out from Feb 26 to April 6, was safe for consumption.
He said samples from the mining pool water were analysed through 27 quality parameters by consultants hired by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) in 2012, while sampling of the water was conducted by the state health department last year and on May 2.
“Fifteen of the parameters were tested for heavy metal content. These analyses show that the content of heavy metals in the pool water did not exceed the standards set by the Health Department,” he said, adding that water treatment plants are capable of treating metals found in river water.
“Results of the sampling analysis from 2011 to 2013 by the chemistry department and state health department showed the quality of alternative water sources also fulfilled these requirements, although they only acted as reserves and were only used this year.”
