MARCH 2 ― A scheduled water rationing exercise will be carried out in some areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur starting today until March 31 and residents will have water supply for two days and two days without until water treatment plants return to normal operation. The exercise is expected to affect more than 60,000 consumers in 71 areas. It is not the best solution, but at least it is better to make people wait for water tankers everyday.
The little rainfall over the past two months has caused a sharp drop in the water levels at rivers and dams in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor. This is undoubtedly related to climate problem but if we analyse deeply, the water supply problem in Selangor also involves political factors.
Before the water rationing is implemented, residents in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur have first been confused by the statements issued by three water supply related units, namely the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and the Selangor state government. Obviously, the three units are still busy engaging in the wrestling and have completely ignored the people’s suffering.
Although the water rationing decision has been finalised, it has at the same time reflected that with poor coordination and communication, and if the involved units prioritise their own interests rather than the people, many livelihood issues will then become more complicated and the people have always been the ultimate victim. Poor communication and the attitude of shirking responsibility have led to the outbreak of water crisis this time. All the people hope is a professional water supply management and no more water shortage problem, after the Selangor state government and the Federal Government signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday.
The water crisis this time has reminded the people of the 1988 water supply crisis. The situation is quite similar and in addition to political factors, mismanagement is the biggest problem. Malaysia enjoys abundant rainfall and thus, there should be no water shortage problem here. If the people immediately face water shortage once there is no rain for two months, the biggest factor is because water supply management units lack the preparedness for crisis management. Water levels at rivers and dams are expected to drop in dry season and thus, water supply management companies should have a plan for it, instead of using the water level as a bargaining chip to wrestle with the state government. Other related units, including SPAN, Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, and Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) have also failed to fulfil their duties well. If these administration and management drawbacks are avoided, water shortage problem can then be prevented.
In addition, the great loss of non-revenue water (NRW) is also a problem. The lack of a proper management and the failure to overcome the loss of water through old water pipes have resulted 36 per cent of NRW. Water supply companies must reduce the NRW to increase the amount of water supply and prevent water disruption. Water supply is a basic facility and if a significant waste of water resources is found due to mismanagement, the water supply companies must be severely punished and required to make compensation for the affected users, to avoid more water wastage.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
