WHEN THE TIDE GOES OUT –

Water is the essence of life. Though

Malaysia is blessed with abundant water
resources, the country is experiencing

CHALLENGES OF THE WATER INDUSTRY

an alarmingly increasing demand for
water supply in recent years. Many seem
to take this natural resource for granted,
while often having the misconception
that supplying clean water would be
cheap and easy. Water operators in Malaysia are faced with challenges in ensuring
Malaysia’s water operators are facing consumers have continuous access to clean and sustainable water supply
many challenges in ensuring consumers
have continuous access to clean water,
and in ensuring a sustainable water
future. Understanding these challenges
is key to recognising the shared
responsibilities of safeguarding this
natural resource.

 Quality of Raw Water

According to research by the World
Wildlife Foundation (WWF) on
Malaysia freshwater, about 97% of the
country’s raw water supply comes from
the rivers. Most water treatment plants
in Malaysia process raw water from the
rivers. However, many of these water
bodies are polluted because of human
activities. Whenever raw water sources
are polluted, treatment plants may need
to be shut down when the pollution
exceeds the safe parameter threshold
allowed in a treatment process or in
other words, exceeding the treatment
process capability.
Water operators such as Air Selangor
have invested in installing water quality
sensors at the upstream of their water
treatment plants to detect pollutants The Labohan Dagang Water Treatment Plant harnesses the Off-River Storage system, enabling the plant to continue operating even when
in the river. When pollutants are there is pollution in the river.
detected, the system will trigger an
alert to allow for early intervention and
timely remedial action to prevent the reduce the rate of inflow into the plant capabilities to meet the demand.
polluted water from flowing into the when it cannot process water that Still, efforts to control climate change
plant. However, these sensors have its has high turbidity level. Therefore, is everyone’s responsibility.
own limitations, such as not all types of to ensure continuous supply water
pollutants in the river can be detected operators have no choice but to reduce  Cost of Treating Water
or can pass through it. The public must their dependability on a single raw According to Suruhanjaya
also be more vigilant in protecting our water source while working towards Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), the
rivers, acting as the eyes and ears of the increasing its operational capability, cost to treat 1,000 litres (one cubic metre
local authorities to report suspicious which comes with a high investment [m3]) of water stands at RM2.31 while
activities near water sources. cost. the average tariff imposed on domestic
As part of its strategy to increase users in Malaysia is only RM0.52 per
resilience and capabilities in storing m3 for the first 20 m3 of water used. On
In reference raw water source, Air Selangor average, a household uses about 20 m3
to the recent commissioned new Off-River of water a month, which translates to
Storage (ORS) and Hybrid Off River about RM10.40 of billed consumption Garbage, chemical and organic wastes, as well as effluents that end up in our
pollution incident in
Augmentation Storage (HORAS) monthly, when in fact, the actual cost rivers are major sources of water pollution in the country.
Sungai Batang Benar, the facilities. Its HORAS 600 near Sungai to treat and supply water is at RM46.20.
shared responsibility of Selangor can provide additional kilometre (km) of pipe is approximately changes to the regulatory framework
safeguarding and regulating 300 MLD (million litres per day) of RM1 million. There is 6,000 km old and policies on areas that could have
There is an
the raw water source in the raw water to Sungai Selangor Water asbestos cement (AC) pipe registered a positive impact on the industry. Co-
Treatment Plant (WTP). Another immediate need in its distribution system. Air Selangor operation could be established in the
country falls on at least ten
one of its major undertaking is the to address climate change. has to mobilise additional efforts and field of education and risk assessment
federal and state agencies construction of modern downstream financial resources to monitor and as well as information sharing between
Together, we need to create
such as the Jabatan Alam water treatment plants, namely the maintain these ageing pipes. Managing state water operators and SPAN for
awareness to reduce impact
Sekitar (JAS), Suruhanjaya Semenyih 2 and Labohan Dagang the condition of the distribution instance, regarding transboundary
on the climate. This can also
Pengurusan Air Negara WTPs. Dr Zaini also shared that network is an ongoing effort that water (intra-states) risks and future threats.
in relation to the abovementioned be a continuous effort and operators have to take because ageing Water operators can also explore
(SPAN), PDRM, Lembaga
incident, the Semenyih 2 WTP strategy on how we can steer assets will inherently cause an increase advanced technologies brought by
Urus Air Selangor (LUAS),
continued to produce treated water as mindsets towards green in leakage, which is the main cause for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
local councils, and many usual although it receives raw source Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses. (IR 4.0) to solve the long-standing
living lifestyles.
others. from the same river. This is because To date, Air Selangor maintains and water management challenges in the
− Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang Semenyih 2 WTP harnesses unpolluted − Professor Dr. Sumiani Yusoff services a total of 29,270 km of pipeline country. Digitalisation can provide
Secretary General in the Ministry of stored raw water from the ORS. In (University Malaya’s Institute of to distribute water to more than 8.4 means for water operators to develop
Environment and Water future, raw water supply from TAPS Ocean and Earth Sciences) million consumers in Selangor, Kuala secure, sustainable and resilient water
in an interview on 7 October 2020 (Takungan Air Pinggiran Sungai) and Lumpur and Putrajaya. Therefore, to resources together with effective asset
HORAS facilities will enable water In comparison, domestic consumers meet future supply-demand growth and management.
 Impact of Climate Change treatment plants to continue operating in Singapore for instance, are charged to ensure a sustainable future for water While water operators are responsible
Climate change has altered the even when rivers are polluted or S$1.21 (RM3.62) per m3 for the first industry, Air Selangor has committed to for exploring and implementing
availability, quantity and quality of impacted by climate change. 40 m3. For every 20 m3 water used, invest RM35.4 billion over the span of technologies to meet the growing
global water supply and cycle. Some of Even with the new approach of Singaporeans will have to pay S$24.20 30 years as part of its capital expenditure water supply demand, this alone is not
its effects include longer drought period locating new water treatment plant at (RM87.60), including a 50% water (CAPEX) planning following its enough to ensure the sustainability of
and heavier than usual rainfall. While further downstream, Air Selangor’s conservation tax and fixed waterborne strategic plans and initiatives. These the water industry future in Malaysia.
the latter can indirectly contribute capabilities to cope with the projected fee per m3 of water used. The water include projects to build new water According to SPAN, the domestic water
to an increase in raw water supply, demand is dependent on its water conservation tax is imposed to source, new treatment plants, upgrade consumption in Selangor as at 2018 is
heavy rainfall affects the soil’s ability to reserve margin which stood at 11% as encourage Singaporeans to conserve existing water supply facilities, reduce 233 litres average per capita, relatively
retain water. Rainwater runoff such as at December 2019. With greater need water and to be conscious of the scarcity leakages/NRW, replace ageing pipes higher than the 165 litres recommended
rubbish, twigs/leaves, grease and soil to consistently supply safe and clean value of water. and implement water conservation by the United Nations. The public can
from the surface will flow into the river, water, larger investment is required in Many are not aware of the high programmes. play an active part in conserving water.
resulting in murkier water which lowers expanding the nation’s existing water cost and risks that the water operators Adopting water-saving practices in our
its quality. treatment infrastructures. However, in Malaysia are facing in providing  Towards a Sustainable Future lifestyle, using water more efficiently
Treating murky water is a more limited operational budget and no tariff continuous and sustainable clean water for Water Industry and prudently can positively impact
complex process. A water treatment increase in years have hampered water supply. For example, the estimated Water operators nationwide can work the raw water sources and supply
plant may need to be shut down or operators’ efforts to increase operational cost for Air Selangor to replace one together to recommend potential availability in the long run.