Don't pass costs on to consumers. #water

Consumer associations are concerned that when industries in Selangor face losses due to water shortage, the costs will be passed on to the public.

Water and Energy Consumer Asso­ciation of Malaysia secretary-general Foon Weng Lian said it was only natural for them to do this.

“We urge them not to increase prices as consumers are suffering as well.

“Industries should seek assistance from the state government or water operators instead to help cut back losses,” he said.

Many companies in the state are reportedly suffering losses due to water shortage, and the uncertainty over its water has forced some to forego proposed projects.

In February, the state government put into effect a “Phase 1” water rationing exercise that affected around one million people.

About 6.7 million consumers, who are now under “Phase 4” of the exercise scheduled to end on April 30, had been told to brace for three more months of rationing.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Muslim Consumers Association chief Datuk Nadzim Johan Johar said there was a limit as to how much losses a company could absorb.

“As and when it reaches the point where companies can no longer absorb losses, the cost will be passed down to consumers in the form of increased prices of products,” he said.

“As it is, consumers are struggling with increased cost of living,” Nad­zim said.

“We need a break too.”

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Finding ways to deal with #water crisis

With no end in sight for the lengthy water crisis, some consumers in Selangor are getting savvy at meeting their bathing and washing needs.

Some are taking their families to petrol stations to shower and do their laundry.

Others are doing the same at R&R stops within reach of their homes.

And some are even signing up with clubs and gyms just to use their shower facilities.

A petrol station operator in USJ said many people were coming there to bathe and collect water.

“These people are desperate for water and have none at home so I’m just trying to help,” he said.

“The station has not been hit by water cuts and we have three or four water storage tanks on the roof.”

A sales representative of a well-known gym, who asked not to be named, said some people had resorted to coming into the facility for its running water.

“We have had people come in to use the taps in our washroom and some have signed up just to gain access to our shower facilities,” he said.

The gym has several water tanks which allow it to stay operational during water cuts.

Several college students hit hard by the water rationing at their homes have started going to their campus to shower.

Jeang Sheng, 21, said his area had not received water for two weeks since the onset of rationing so he showers at UCSI University where he studies.

“Sometimes I go in earlier to shower before class; other times I stay back to shower after class,” he said.

He said his water woes were worsened by the inconsistent delivery times of water tankers serving his area.

“They seem to come at random times. They have delivered water at around midnight and even at 4am once,” he said.

“I try to preserve the water I’ve stored at home by showering at my campus.”

Some petrol stations and other places have had to put up signs telling people that they cannot bathe or collect water on their premises.

Md Khairi Selamat, Selangor Water Management Au­thority (Luas) director, had announced that there would be a water emergency declared in the state if major dams hit critical level.

The Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams each have just over two months of water sup­­­ply before they reach the danger zone.

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Eighty days of #water left

 The water crisis in the Klang Valley could be the worst ever, with just about 80 days of supply left in two major dams – despite the dai­ly rain.

The Sungai Selangor dam and Klang Gates dam – each have roughly just over two months of water sup­­­ply before they hit the critical stage.

During the country’s worst recorded water crisis in 1998, 4.2 million people had to survive on 2,553 million litres per day (MLD), a shortage of 105 MLD.

This time round, 7.1 million people need 4,900 MLD but only 4,367 MLD is available – a shortage of 533 MLD.

The only solution is for the dams to get, by April 30, rain equivalent to the average monthly rainfall for No­­vem­ber – one of the wettest months of the year.

Selangor Water Management Au­­tho­rity (Luas) director Md Khairi Se­lamat said water at the Sungai Se­langor dam might last 71 days while water at Klang Gates dam 88 days.

“This is assuming the output remains as it is right now, which is 1,000 MLD for Sungai Selangor and 100 MLD for Klang Gates.

“Also, we need 200mm of rainfall for the Sungai Selangor dam to rise to 55% from its current level of 37.38%. Until we reach that target, water rationing needs to continue,” he told a press conference yesterday.

In 1998, 1.8 million people in Se­­la­ngor and Kuala Lumpur were affected by a six-month long water rationing exercise – from March to Sep­tem­ber – because of the El Nino pheno­menon.

The long drought and absence of rainfall that year led to almost critical water levels in four dams – Batu, Klang Gates, Langat and Semenyih.

A water rationing exercise that started on April 20, 1998, ended on Sept 16.

This year, Selangor began water rationing in early March, with the fourth phase expected to end on April 30.

Sungai Selangor dam’s critical ca­­pa­­city is 69 million cubic metres (Mm3) and the Klang Gates dam 4.7Mm3.

Of the seven dams in Selangor, four are below the safe level of 70%, including the Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams.

Currently, the Klang Gates dam is at 53.89% capacity, Langat dam 49.47% capacity and Sungai Tinggi dam 61.29%.

Md Khairi said the state was banking on increased rainfall next month, when the wet monsoon kicks in, to help raise the dams’ capacities and see it through even more difficult times expected be­­tween June and October.

“Cloud seeding operations will also continue next week and will be more focused on the water retention areas of Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams until May 31, subject to weather conditions,” he said.

Khairi said Syabas’ an­­nouncement to relax water ratio­ning came about after the treatment plants in Batu 11, Cheras and Bukit Tampoi were reopened on March 30.

“The plants, which were previously closed following high ammonia levels in the rivers, could be reopened as recent rains diluted the ammonia content in the rivers. This will allow for more treated water production, so the relaxation of wa­­ter rationing can happen,” he said.

In Shah Alam, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim defended the rationing exercise, saying that the two days on and two days off rationing was the best me­­thod.

He said the decision was decided by a group of experts from the water industry.

“The rationing exercise has, in fact, ease the water problems currently faced in districts and areas that have not received water supply for weeks earlier,” he told the state assembly yesterday.

TheStar

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No taking clean #water supply for granted now

The ongoing water rationing is causing hardship and frustration but it is the only way to cope with the crisis, say experts.

They also believe that the exercise would change the attitude of consumers who had been careless when using water.

Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia secretary-general Foon Weng Lian said the awareness to conserve water was still low among consumers.

“The water rationing is a wake-up call for users to learn how to reduce their consumption and appreciate the true value of a continuous supply of clean and safe water,” he said.

Foon said rationing and water demand management were only short-term measures, adding that long-term planning was vital to prevent such crises from recurring.

Among the long-term plans were inter-state raw water transfers, reduction of non-revenue water rate, permanent gazetting of all water catchment areas, and the implementation of a holistic national water policy covering water resources, supply, demand and waste water.

Foon said rationing was the only option available to help cope with the shortage, adding that it was still too early to say that it had failed.

According to the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, people in Selangor were only using 7% less water even with rationing imposed in the state.

As of yesterday morning, the Sungai Selangor dam in Kuala Kubu Baru recorded a 37.31% capacity. Its critical level is 30%.

Environment and waste management specialist Dr Theng Lee Chong said water rationing needed to be done in a proper manner without upsetting the consumers.

“Rationing is needed because when the water level is low and supply to households is not controlled, consumers will use it like usual and will not make an effort to conserve it,” he said.

Dr Theng said Malaysians should learn a lesson from this crisis.

TheStar

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Consumers still using as much water as when dams were full. #SYABAS #SPAN

Selangor’s dams are running dry, but its residents are still using nearly as much water as they were when the dams were full.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee said people in Selangor were only using 7% less water despite the water rationing in the state.

As of yesterday morning, the Sungai Selangor dam in Kuala Kubu Baru recorded a 36.53% capacity. Its critical level is 30% – which will be reached in just two weeks if water levels consistently drop.

“Despite the water rationing, the regulator has found that the (amount of) water saved is a mere 7%. The demand has only dropped by (that much),” Loo said in an interview, citing National Water Services Commission figures.

It was reported that the demand for treated water in Selangor was 4,641 million litres a day.

This would mean that a mere 325 million litres are saved each day, which Loo said was not enough. Malaysia, she said, had low water tariffs and Selangor gave 20 cubic metres of water for free to its residents each month.

This did not motivate people to save water, and the ministry was mulling the possibility of a water surcharge to stretch the state’s resources, Loo said.

“It’s a possibility in light of the present dilemma that we have right now...If you go beyond a certain consumption, you must increase (charges),” she added.

According to the Malaysian Water Industry Guide 2013, Selangor residents are charged RM0.57 per 1,000 litres for the first 20,000 litres. This is bumped to RM0.72 for the first 30,000 litres and RM0.77 for the first 35,000 litres.

The state’s last tariff review was in 2006.

Loo said the Government might consider declaring a water emergency before dams reached critical levels.

“We’re not going to wait until the levels reach 30%,” Loo said, referring to the Sungai Selangor dam, the state’s largest.

“I hope that by the end of April there’ll be more rain coming. We have to prepare the necessary measures needed to be invoked, just in case,” she said, declining to say when either a surcharge or emergency might take effect.

She added that the ministry was considering taking water from the Labu and Ngoi-ngoi treatment plants in Negri Sembilan to supplement Selangor’s water needs during this time.

If the critical level is reached, a water emergency can be declared and the Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister is given discretionary powers to do whatever he wants to conserve water resources.

He would have the power to ban car-washing and garden-watering as well as take action against those violating the water emergency rule.

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Additional 620,237 #Selangor households to face water cuts from Friday. #SPAN #SYABAS

More than 6.7 million Selangor residents will face water cuts, when the fourth phase of water rationing takes effect on April 4.

National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Datuk Ismail Kassim said that the phase will affect nine districts here: Gombak, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alan, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Sepang.

“The fourth phase of water rationing will involve an additional 620,237 households making a grand total of 1,340,231 households or 6.7 million people,” he told reporters at SPAN’s headquarters here on Tuesday.

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), he said, will however not be affected by the water rationing exercise.

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Public and businesses turn to using paper and polystyrene.

Water rationing is not only bad news for consumers, the environment is suffering too as more people turn to paper and polystyrene cups, plates and utensils.

Consumers said they are forced to make this trade-off to conserve water.

At a hypermarket in Subang Jaya, Faridah Hussin, 30, was seen buying a bundle of 100 polystyrene plates because of the water shortage.

“We have four people in the house including a six-month-old baby. Sometimes, the water tank at home is not sufficient to last us two days.

“So, we need to save water as much as possible and that includes not washing plates,” she said.

Business owners have also been forced to adapt as the third phase of water rationing in the Klang Valley enters its second week.

Gerald Tung, who runs a restaurant in SS2 Petaling Jaya, said business had definitely slowed down since the water rationing exercise started.

Tung’s restaurant, which comprises 10 stalls selling hawker food, has been fairly quiet even during lunchtime.

“Many of my customers prefer to pack food to eat at home or in the office, rather than dine at the restaurant.

“The haze has also forced people to stay home,” said Tung, who is relying on water from his storage tank.

The restaurant uses disposable cups on days when there is no water supply.

“Every cup costs an extra 20sen but I have to absorb the extra cost myself.

“If I do not use disposable cups, I will have to waste water washing the cups,” he said, adding that some of his customers had complained as they preferred drinking hot beverages in ceramic cups.

Chen Lee Men, who runs a stall selling porridge, said it was not easy to store water ahead of time.

“It is okay on the first day but becomes difficult on the second as I have to bring water from home.

“Bringing water from home has added to my workload,” said Lee, who said she might have to close her stall more often.

Several stalls were also seen using disposable bowls and plates while a handful had closed shop for the day.

Mixed-rice seller Lim Pei Yuen brought water in huge plastic containers from his house in Seri Kembangan.

“I try to reduce the number of dishes and use paper plates,” said Lim, who cooks more than 20 dishes at the restaurant itself.He said he had no plans to prepare the dishes at home as he wanted his customers to have freshly cooked food for lunch.

Barista Geraldine Tan said the cafe she worked at was using water from their tank and keeping their fingers crossed it would be enough to last them for two days.

“We have stopped giving out free water to customers,” she said.

At 1Utama shopping centre, its advertising and promotions general manager Patrick So said the mall had limited the usage at their washrooms by reducing the number available, to avoid wastage.

“We also do not water our plants as often as we normally do,” he said.

Mydin Group marketing and communications manager Sabariah Mohd said there was a 20% to 25% increase in sales of disposable utensils, including paper plates and cups, since the water rationing exercise began.

“As for bottled water, sales have increased by 30% to 40%,” she said.

She assured the mall had sufficient supply to meet demand.

“The sale of fruit juices have also increased by 20% to 30%,” she added.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Green Living coordinator Wong Ee Lynn advised consumers to eat and cook light meals such as one pot dishes like noodle soup or pasta.

“During this water rationing period, people can cut down on greasy food and cooking many dishes to avoid having to use a lot of water to wash up,” she said.

Fomca secretary-general Datuk Paul Selvaraj urged the public to bring their own containers when buying food outside.

“They can layer the containers with paper towels to soak up the oil,” he said, adding this would make washing easier.

He said this habit should be cultivated as a long-term solution instead of using polystyrene.

Wong, too, advised hawkers to use brown paper instead of polystyrene plates or containers.

“The manufacture of polystyrene and foam items actually uses a lot of water. We may not see it and think we are saving water by using these items as we do not need to wash them. But that is not the case,” she said.

Phase three of water rationing involves 722,424 households in 593 areas in Gombak, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor, while phase one that started earlier covered 71 areas with 60,185 households in Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat dan Sepang.

The water rationing exercise is expected to last till March 31.

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Work starts on #water deal draft. #Selangor

Selangor will sign a preliminary agreement with the Federal Government soon to seal the deal on the restructuring of the state’s water industry, said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly exco meeting here yesterday, Khalid revealed that the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry would represent the Federal Government in drafting the agreement with Selangor, which would be represented by Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB).

According to Khalid, the agreement will spell out the specific details of the restructuring exercise jointly undertaken by Selangor and Putrajaya, including the expected revenue for the state after the exercise.

He also confirmed that the agreement would stipulate that there would not be any tariff increase for the next three years.

“The ministry and KDEB will work together to formulate the draft of the preliminary agreement, which will be signed as soon as possible,” Khalid said, though he stopped short of committing to an exact date for the signing.

On the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on water industry restructuring inked between Selangor and Putrajaya on Feb 26, Khalid said the contents of the MoU would be revealed in a week’s time after the “procedural matters” had been cleared.

Certain quarters, including leaders from Pakatan Rakyat, had criticised Khalid over the MoU, which they claimed lacked transparency and due consultation.

The MoU is believed to allow Selangor to take over the assets of the four existing water concessionaires in the state for a total amount said to be RM9.6bil, while also allowing the Federal Government to proceed with building the Langat 2 water treatment plant that would receive raw water from Pahang via a tunnel.

Meanwhile, Pakatan’s top leadership has remained unequivocal in wanting Khalid to defer the finalisation of the preliminary agreement until he provides a satisfactory briefing to them on the details.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim questioned the seemingly rushed manner in which the MoU was signed.

Meeting reporters after chairing the Pakatan leadership council meeting yesterday, Anwar said that while the Pakatan leadership did not wish to unduly interfere with Khalid’s administration as he had been given the mandate to negotiate the water deal, the Mentri Besar should nonetheless display a more humble approach to doing things.

“It is better we have some humi­lity to be more transparent and to consult the leaders.

“We want him to be more cautious, and we have communicated our view that the briefing must be done before the agreement is signed, or else it will be meaningless,” said Anwar.

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KL and #Selangor ink water assets pact

The Federal Government and Selangor finally found common ground on terms that will facilitate the implementation of the Langat 2 water treatment plant project and the takeover of water assets in the state.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili and Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that effectively breaks a five-year impasse that has stalled the implementation of water projects in the country’s most industrialised state.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin witnessed the signing – a signal that the MoU has the blessing of the top leadership of the Federal Govern­ment.

Some PKR leaders were caught unawares by the signing of the MoU, and it is unclear if Khalid has the backing of the top Pakatan Rakyat leaders to agree on the terms.

The price tag offered to the four concessionaires in the state remains at RM9.65bil.

This is the first time that the state and federal governments have firmed up an agreement to work out the mechanics of the consolidation of the water assets in Selangor since the exercise started in 2009.

An integral part of the MoU is the Selangor Government giving an undertaking to facilitate the implementation of Langat 2.

The state has agreed to issue the Development Order and facilitate land acquisition for the construction of Langat 2 that has stalled since 2009.

The water treatment plant is an integral part of the RM8.65bil Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Trans­fer project that entails the transfer of water from Pahang to the Klang Valley.

The Pahang portion of the project that has been awarded to a consortium led by Japanese companies is almost done. But the Selangor side of the job has yet to take off.

The treatment plant can process 1,130 million litres per day and is anticipated to meet the needs of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until 2025.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili represented the Federal Government while Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim signed for the Selangor Government.

In return for facilitating the implementation of Langat 2, the Federal Government will allocate RM2bil to the state to be used in the acquisition of the four water concessionaires operating in Selangor.

The four are Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd and Konsortium ABASS Sdn Bhd.

The Federal Government through the Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) has also allocated RM900mil for water mitigation initiatives in Selangor as an interim relief until Langat 2 is completed.

Khalid said the funds would be use to build a water catchment facility at Bestari Jaya in Kuala Selangor.

He also said the state government expected to complete the takeover of the four concessionaires within three months, including share acquisition.

He said the state’s offer of RM9.65bil as compensation to the four companies still stood and they had until March 10 to revert.

“A special purpose vehicle company will be set up under the state-owned Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad to manage the water supply industry.

“The compensation offer starts now and we hope to get the reply from the concessionaires in two weeks,” he said.

Khalid assured staff of the four companies that they would be retained, saying the takeover only involved the acquisition of their equities.

Dr Ongkili said tenders for various jobs in Langat 2 would be awarded soon.

“We think the construction work can begin within 30 days with the entire project taking three years to complete.”

Asked whether the current water crisis had prompted both parties to speed up the restructuring exercise, Dr Ongkili said they had been discussing the issue since last year.

“We have worked hard for more than seven months to reach a consensus and hope water concessionaires in the state will give full cooperation to ensure the success of the restructuring initiative,” he said.

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#Selangor residents can expect water supply every two days

Residents in Selangor who have been without water for the past few weeks can expect supply every two days.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the “rationing” will start today, when the water company Syabas is due to give details of the exercise.

The “scheduled distribution” – as SPAN, the National Water Services Commission, calls it – will affect Ulu Langat and Kuala Langat, where taps have been dry since Feb 7 in some 42,000 households.

Businesses – including food stalls and restaurants, laundries and hair dressing saloons – in the two districts have also been badly affected by the prolonged supply disruption.

The severe dry spell in the state had caused the concentration of pollutants, in particular ammonia, in the Langat river to be excessively high, forcing the Bukit Tampoi and Batu 11 Cheras treatment plants to be shut down.

Khalid said the affected households were those which received their supply from the Bukit Tampoi, Batu 11 Cheras, Sungai Rasa and the Sungai Selangor Phase 1, 2 and 3 treatment plants.

These last four which get raw water from Sungai Selangor will reduce their intake in stages to protect the reserve in the dam, which is already at critical level, Khalid added after attending the monthly gathering of civil servants here.

It is learnt that the Bukit Tampoi and Batu 11 Cheras plants have a limited amount of treated water under storage that they would supply to consumers during the rationing period.

Khalid said Syabas tankers and static tanks would also be sent to affected areas during the rationing, and added that the exercise would continue until the rainy season, which is not expected until the middle of next month.

If the rainy season came earlier, the rationing would be discontinued, he added.

SPAN said the Selangor Govern­ment had ordered Syabas to activate an emergency plan, including scheduled water distribution to consumers in the affected areas.

It had approved the application from Syabas to implement the measure following a meeting of all the parties.

SPAN appealed to consumers in affected areas to “work with Syabas to implement the scheduled water distribution.”

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Water supply back to normal.

The Cheras Batu 11 water treatment plant which was temporarily closed after  ammonia pollution in Sungai Langat resumed full operation at 8.30am yesterday, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) said.

Its corporate communications and public affairs assistant general manager, Priscilla Alfred, said consumers in the Hulu Langat area could expect their water supply to return to normal.

She said the Bukit Tampoi treatment plant, which supplies water to Kuala Langat residents, remained closed as the water being channelled from Sungai Langat still contained a high level of ammonia.

"The acceptable level of ammonia in the water is 1.5ppm.

"Currently, it is fluctuating between 3ppm and 5ppm.

"The Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) is doing all it can to reduce the level of ammonia."

Sungai Langat, which is the water source for the Cheras Batu 11 and Bukit Tampoi treatment plants, had seen an alarming spike in ammonia levels, forcing their closure since Thursday.

This had caused water supply disruptions in 36 areas under the Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat districts.

However, disruptions were minimal as Syabas was able to divert water from other places to sustain supply in the affected areas.

"The overall demand for water during this festive period dropped, hence, we were able to manage the disruption quite effectively."

As at noon yesterday, ammonia levels at the Bukit Tampoi treatment plant still showed a high reading of 5ppm.

Luas director Mohd Khairi Selamat said there were signs of reduction in the ammonia level.

He said he was optimistic that the plant could resume operations today if no additional effects were found.

Residents in the affected areas had expressed relief the water disruption was not severe enough to affect their Chinese New Year plans.

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Still no water for some

While supply has resumed in certain areas of the Klang Valley, others are either still without water or are facing low water pressure.

Wong Wei Hwang said there had either been no water or low pressure in his housing area at Taman Sri Rampai in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur for more than five months.

“We are alerted about the disruption sometimes, but most of the time, no notice is given,” said the 26-year-old, adding that his area often did not have water.

“Water disruption happens every month; In August, it happened at least five days,” he said.

“Various excuses have been given including problems at the Wangsa Maju pump house.”

As such, the latest disruption on Friday night feels no different.

“It is very troublesome because we cannot cook and clean, and we do not eat at restaurants because there is no water supply in the whole area.

“I had to go to my grandmother’s house in Taman Seputeh on Saturday to shower, have dinner and store clean water. If the situation does not improve, I may need to make another visit to do my laundry.”

Wong said residents were frustrated with the numerous excuses given by water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and want a permanent solution to fix their water woes.

Cecilia Song, who is recovering from surgery, said her schedule had been disrupted as her family had to go elsewhere to eat and bathe.

“Water disruption has occurred frequently over the past two years, and presently, there is still no water supply in Bukit Antarabangsa, Ulu Klang,” said the 52-year-old.

“We always get our water a day after others,’’ she said, adding that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) should change the pump because of problems with the current one.

Lim Kok Siang, 34, who stays in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, said he and his family had to take their shower at the golf club where they hold membership.

“There was already a large crowd when we went to the clubhouse on Saturday evening and the water pressure was low,” said the businessman.

“My family was unable to store water as there was no supply by the time we found out on Friday evening.”

Lim said a number of businesses in Kota Kemuning such as car wash services and restaurants were closed on Saturday.

“There was a low turnout at the Muhibbah Walk event organised by our residents association as people kept outdoor activities to a minimum or went to other areas with normal water supply.

“The three main supermarkets in our neighbourhood also ran out of mineral and drinking water by late Sunday morning,” he said, adding that the water supply had since resumed.

According to Syabas, 880,000 domestic accounts or 60% of accounts in six districts, namely Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, Klang/Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor were affected by the water disruption.

The disruption occurred as a result of the closure of four water treatment plants due to oil contamination of Sungai Selangor.

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Five districts in Selangor to face water disruptions

Some 349,000 account holders in five districts are expected to face unscheduled water cuts due to a halt in the operations at the Sg Semenyih treatment plant after the river was suspected to be contaminated by palm oil.

Syabas chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi said the plant provided treated water for consumers in Petaling, Hulu Langat, Sepang, Klang and Kuala Langat.

“Syabas is still identifying the areas that are expected to be impacted,” he said, adding that the plant, which was run by Konsortium Abass Sdn Bhd, stopped operating at around 1.30pm yesterday.

This disruption, he said, was unrelated to the water cuts due to the recent failure of pump houses in Wangsa Maju and Pudu Hulu.

In SHAH ALAM, the Malay Economic Consultative Council (Mapem) urged the Selangor Government not to politicise water issues but to instead work to replace the aged water assets used by Syabas.

Urging for immediate action, its honorary secretary Halim Mohamad pointed out that the disruptions in water supply were affecting businesses.

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