MARCH 14 — The following is a media release issued by Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) today:

QUESTIONS

1.              The minister said yesterday that the government may be forced to declare water emergency in three weeks’ time if the current water situation deteriorates. What is a water emergency situation? Does it mean longer days without water for homes and how is SPAN going to go about it in terms of water rationing. Could you give some clarification on water emergency and steps going to be taken by SPAN?

2.              Should the water shortage scenario continue, what action plan will SPAN take to manage the situation?

3.              What can the public do to help the situation right now?

4.              What can the public do in a situation where there’s no water for a prolonged period of time?

ANSWERS

KeTTHA, Selangor State Government and SPAN are monitoring closely the water situation in Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

If there is no rain in the near future and water levels at the dams, notably Sungai Selangor Dam, drop further, the Selangor State Government through LUAS may decide to further reduce releases from the dams in order to prolong the supply. This may result in further reduction in water production at the treatment plants and hence extended rationing hours and/or affected areas.

SPAN has approved SYABAS’ application to extend rationing hours and areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur under the third stage of water rationing. In this respect, SPAN will consider further extension of rationing hours and affected areas if the water supply situation deteriorates.

Under Section 56 of the Water Service Industry Act [Act 655], “emergency” means a circumstance where:

a)    water supply is insufficient due to excessive drought or industrial unrest, strike or lock-out;

b)    the supply of water or water supply system endangers or poses a threat to public safety or public health; or

c)    an event occurs which gives rise to a dire situation which the Minister considers it necessary to exercise his powers under this section

Under the same section, the Minister may, during an Emergency:

a)     prohibit or restrict the use of water

                         i.         generally for specified purpose;

                        ii.         during specified hours of the day or otherwise; or

                       iii.         in a specified manner

b)    impose

                         i.         limits on the quantities of water which may be consumed over any specified period;

                        ii.         any surcharge in respect of the consumption of water in excess of any limit imposed; or

                       iii.         any other conditions as the Minister may think necessary;   

Under the execution of such powers, which shall be published in the Gazette, consumers are prohibited or restricted from using water in a specified manner. An example of such prohibition is the hosepipe ban where consumers are prohibited from using hose or sprinkler to water private gardens or wash their cars except with watering cans or bucket. Such a prohibition is enforceable and consumers who do not comply with the law are liable to a fine.

Public can do their part by using water in a prudent manner. They should restrict use of water for essential purpose only and not waste water.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.