Residents of four districts in Selangor numbering millions will face unscheduled water cuts and low water pressure well into the Chinese New Year festival if demand for the precious commodity keeps rising.
Those in Hulu Langat, Sepang, Kuala Langat and Petaling will have water woes if the sudden rise in demand continues.
The increase in demand, attributed to the hot weather and upcoming Chinese New Year festivities, has caused Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) to raise water production to the maximum levels of 466mld (million litres a day) in the Sg Langat treatment plant and 688mld in the Sg Semenyih treatment plant last week.
Syabas corporate affairs executive director Abdul Halem Mat Som said the problem was not a shortage of supply but an increase in demand.
“In the last ten years, there have been more developments in the districts, so demand for water supply has increased,” he said.
He noted that the issue was not about having enough water in the dams or rivers but providing adequate clean, treated water to consumers.
“Treatment plants are unable to meet the demand although they are operating beyond designated levels,” he said.
Syabas had said that the water production rate could not be increased any further although it was not enough to cater to demands. This had triggered unscheduled cuts and low water pressure in the four districts.
Abdul Halem said before the mushrooming of Seri Kembangan and Putrajaya, adequate clean water was easily available.
“Then, we could provide for the districts without difficulty,” he said, adding that the districts were now considered “water-stressed” areas.
“This means the annual water supply for the areas concerned has dropped below 1,700 cubic metres per person per year. The optimum level is 10,000 cubic metres per person per year.
“Gombak and certain areas in Kuala Lumpur and Klang might face water supply issues if the current situation persists,” he added.
Abdul Halem also said Putrajaya was facing initial stages of the problem as the administrative capital's water supply was connected to Sepang.
“For now, we will manage water distribution properly by giving priority to areas with the higher demand.
“We have also prepared 42 water tankers to assist those affected and they will be deployed anytime they are needed,” he added.
Those who require water supply through tankers or want more details can call the company's customer care hotline at 1-800-88-5252.
In a related development, the Selangor government has ordered Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) to handle the state's water situation, reports A. RUBAN.
Many residents may face supply disruption from Monday due to upgrading works and the increased demand.
Syabas said pipe upgrading works are to take place in Kajang from 5pm on Monday to 6am the following day.
The political secretary to the Mentri Besar Faekah Husin said directives had been issued to Luas to come up with a detailed report on the matter
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