KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — All state governments need to work closely with Putrajaya to resolve problems with water supply in the coming weeks, the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry said today as several parts of the northern peninsular prepare to face a water crisis expected as early as next month.
In a statement, the ministry said state governments must put in place measures to ensure water catchment areas are protected from uncontrolled development activities that could threaten raw water supply, including agriculture.
“The federal government on the other hand will explore alternative water sources, intensify water conservation campaigns and introduce a water tariff structure based on the ‘user pays principle’ in order to encourage prudent use of water,” the ministry said.
The northern peninsular states of Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis were earlier this week alerted to a possible water shortage crisis in a month due to the prolonged Super El Niño phenomenon that has led to depleting water resources in several dams.
According to the Penang Water Supply Corporation, Penang’s dams still have sufficient supply but its main source of raw water, about 80 per cent, comes from the Muda River.
If the Muda River water level drops, it will greatly affect Penang’s water supply, it said.
Recently, Kedah announced that it only had 30 days’ supply in its Beris Dam and Muda Dam.
The dams are the only two in Kedah that release water into the Muda River for 14 Kedah water treatment plants and Penang to draw water from.
On Tuesday, a Selangor federal lawmaker warned that Klang Valley folk could face a similar crisis in 43 says if the Sungai Selangor reserves drop below the critical level of 40 per cent.
Today, the ministry said a “one day on, two days off” water rationing system began on Monday in two districts in Johor – Kota Tinggi and Mersing – affecting some 17,000 consumers there.
The ministry also confirmed that water treatment plants in Penang, Kedah, Johor and Perlis have reduced the production of treated water after seeing a drop in raw water supply.
“A total of 15 water treatment plants are affected after supply of raw water dropped and this affects 27,000 consumers in the Peninsular and 1,200 in Sabah,” it said.
Among the immediate steps taken by water concessionaires, the ministry said, was to send out water tankers and static water tanks to the affected areas.
The ministry said the water companies will also install pontoon pumps and purified water package plant, especially in Sabah.
Earlier today, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said paddy farmers in the state have been forced to defer planting for at least a month due to the current severe dry season.
