Political Waters
Water in Selangor is a pet subject, and fellow columnist Azman Ujang and I have had quite a number of opposing pieces in theSun. This one was published in theSun on 18th May 2012.
Political Waters
Fellow columnist at theSun, Azman Ujang, wrote earlier this week that the Selangor government is politicising water by not approving the Langat 2 treatment plant. He was referring to the Pahang-Selangor water transfer project which aims to transport water from Pahang to Selangor.
In his article, he says the pipeline would cost RM3.94 billion. In reality, the project involves more than just the pipeline. It also includes the construction of the Kelau Dam, and Langat 2 water treatment plant. When considered together, the project cost comes up to RM9 billion in total (17th August 2011, New Straits Times).
“Water Crisis”?
The main premise of his piece rests on the speculation of a “looming water crisis” in the state of Selangor, and he quotes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as saying that “Selangor’s water reserves are at 2.4%, way below the ideal level of 20%.” (15th May 2012, theSun).
It is unclear where these figures are obtained from. In fact, a quick check at the Selangor Water Management Board’s website (www.luas.gov.my) which monitors water resources in the state shows that reservoir levels in March 2012 are actually more than sufficient and way above critical water levels in six of the seven dams located in Selangor, Klang and Langat. Charts also show healthy and steady rainfall rates in Selangor.
Second, the major area of water loss actually comes from “non-revenue water” (NRW) which refers to water lost as a result of pipe leakages and unbilled water. Under the concession agreement signed with private operator Syabas, they are obliged to fulfill their responsibility to reduce NRW in Selangor. However, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) reports that Syabas is struggling to bring the NRW below the 30% target. This is the commitment that they signed up for when sealed the deal with the state government and federal government.
Syabas is reported to have sent data to the state government, showing that the state is facing critical water shortages. Since many of us are not privy to such information, it would be good for them to release the data publicly so independent water engineers and consultants could evaluate the situation as well.
Pahang-Selangor Water Transfer Project
The Pahang-Selangor Water Transfer Project was first proposed as a result of the National Water Resources Study 2000, commissioned by the Economic Planning Unit, and carried out by three infrastructure-related consultants. This Study seems to have grossly over-estimated future water demand in Selangor, which for example predicted consumption at 500 to 1224 LCD (litres per capita per day) in 2010 but in reality Selangor’s domestic water usage was only 235 LCD in 2009.
To decide on such a large-scale project based on inaccurate projections must surely have been an oversight.
Since the project’s inception, several water-related NGOs have called for the project to be reconsidered for a number of reasons. First, that other alternatives had not been exhausted when looking at ways of ensuring consumers in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are not deprived of clean water. This includes implementing a water demand management strategy, that aims to manage and reduce consumers’ use of water rather than endlessly increasing its supply.
Other solutions that could have been relentlessly pursued are upgrading existing plants so they can operate at full design capacity, which if carried out efficiently could be ready before 2014, as well as investing in water conservation through rainwater harvesting and recycling of water.
Further, others have also pointed out that the Pahang-Selangor Water Transfer Project would cost many Orang Asli families their traditional livelihood, since they occupy lands that would be flooded by the Kelau Dam. There are also possible ecosystem implications resulting from this project’s massive inter-state construction, which must be explored.
The Real McCoy
It is ironic that some have called on parties to stop politicising the Langat 2 deal. In fact, the real issue has been conveniently waylaid, that is the restructuring of the water industry in Selangor. In short, the federal government’s intention was to consolidate the fragmented water industry in Selangor (there are currently 4 private operators). However, two out of the four rejected the state government’s offer to buy over their companies, claiming the offers were not high enough.
Before any further decision can be made on water-related developments in the state, it seems clear that the first hurdle must be passed. That is, to ensure the water industry’s current state of limbo is resolved quickly. This is something the federal government through its ministry and water commission can expedite, since its role as policymaker is to monitor the situation and push for efficient outcomes.
Together with the state government, some bi-partisan co-operation is needed to seek a solution for the water industry: not just on the Langat 2 treatment plant, just one fragment of the larger equation, which is to settle the water industry’s future in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya by returning to the original aims of the restructuring exercise.