REMBAU: All states in the peninsula will likely be linked with a pipe network to allow water to be transferred to meet a sudden surge in demand or counter the effects of a prolonged drought.
“This is a long-term plan to counter sudden increases in water demand. We cannot be sending water via tankers anymore as it is a costly and time consuming exercise,” Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said.
The inter-state pipe link project would be carried out once consent was obtained from the state governments, Chin told reporters at the joint opening of the Ulu Sepri dam near here with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The matter is being studied by the National Water Services Commission and Water Asset Management Company (PAAB).
PAAB, a wholly owned company of the Minister of Finance Incorporated and established in May 2006, is part of the Government's efforts to restructure the water services industry.
Asked if this would mean that all Malaysians would be paying the same water tariffs in future, Chin said this was not possible as each state had its own cost of managing its water resources and supplying treated water.
Chin also advised consumers to be prudent when using water. He said this was necessary as Malaysians were the largest consumers in the region.
“Based on per capita consumption, we use 300% more than Singaporeans. Although we have an abundant supply of raw water, we should not take it for granted,” he said.
Asked if there were any states in the country which could be facing a water crisis due to high demand and poor infrastructure, Chin said only Selangor could run into problems if it did not take remedial action.
“Selangor will face a major crisis by 2014 if it does not do anything to manage its raw water supply.
“The state government has also refused to work with the Federal Government on the water issue,” he said, adding this would disrupt water supply in the whole of the Klang Valley.
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