Taken from :
http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/water-contingency-water-woe-s-end-needs-a-rethink-1.548122
THE water rationing exercise in the Klang Valley was recently extended to the end of the month. Apparently, the earlier exercise only yielded seven per cent savings. This was not surprising as the ration was not specifically done "over volume" but "over time" ( two days on, two days off).
During days when there was supply, consumers would usually stock up to face the imminent disruption. It is also possible, on days when there was supply, consumption could have been close to double (or more) than what was normal.
Some have blamed consumers. Malaysians, it seems, are a wasteful lot, using more water per individual than other countries. It was reported that a Malaysian individual uses up to 226 litres per day of water, compared with Singaporeans who use only 154 litres/day and Thais, 90 litres/day.
This fact should be taken with a pinch of salt as it is unclear how the numbers were derived. However, water savings and optimisation would still be good for all quarters, hence, we, as a nation, should strive towards it.
It has been suggested that by increasing water tariffs, consumers would be more mindful of the amount they use, but there are also many ways to skin a cat.
Consumers, especially in the Klang Valley, are only starting to adjust to the rise in the cost of living. Now, they have to face a rise in water tariffs?
Besides, it would not be fair to raise water tariffs without appropriate justification. An increase in tariff should translate to minimum disruptions and consistently good water quality.
Consumer satisfaction should be a top priority.
Nevertheless, the rationing exercise has been implemented in many states. However, the most severely affected are Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan.
Water demand is greater in Klang Valley, as the region is home to over 7.5 million people.
It is the heartland of the country's commercial and industrial ventures. Therefore, it is imperative that amenities, such as electricity and water, remain top-notch to support the activities.
Perhaps, it is time to think out of the box to solve our water woes.
Municipalities can consider tapping water from existing water structures (e.g. lakes) or construct new ones that can function as "mini-reservoirs" in specific localities. Since the reservoirs are located within townships, the supply distance (and cost) would not be too exorbitant. What is required is appropriate treatment and connection.
A national water transfer grid is another possibility. "Water rich" states can supply treated water to the "poorer" Klang Valley (and Negri Sembilan as well). Water pollution must be mitigated.
Abundant water has little meaning if it is contaminated, as happened in the closure of the Cheras Batu 11 and Bukit Tampoi treatment plants because ammonia levels in the rivers were in excess of 1.5 mg/L, rendering the water unsuitable for domestic use.
The recent approval of a regional sewage treatment plant by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry aims to tackle this matter. This initiative is to be commended.
However, mere compliance to the limits stipulated in the Environmental Quality (Sewage Effluent) Regulations 2009, does not guarantee the water quality of the river will be preserved.
This is because the upper Standard A threshold for ammoniacal nitrogen is 10 mg/L.
If the amount of effluent released to the river is too big, there may still be contamination.
To preserve (or improve) water quality, the amount of pollution load, usually expressed in kg per day, must be controlled.
There is also a need to step up additional water resource conservation measures. These include minimisation of non-revenue water losses; heightening water demand management initiatives; adaptation of rainwater harvesting and storage strategies and policies; and exploration of alternative water resource (e.g. groundwater).
Dr Zaki Zainudin, Associate Professor, Water Quality and Modelling, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
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