Kelantan’s water woes to be solved in 2 years, says exco man

 Izani Husin says three water treatment plants will be ready by 2028, but wider improvements are only expected by 2030.

Kelantan’s long-standing water problems have forced many households to depend on tube wells, rivers and other water sources, especially in rural areas. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A Kelantan executive councillor has urged residents who have faced water supply problems for decades to wait another two years for conditions to improve.

State executive councillor Izani Husin said several major water treatment projects were nearing completion and should start improving water supply from next year, Sinar Harian reported.

“To the people, please be patient a little longer. You have endured water problems for decades, so please bear with us for another two years.

“Do not give up when we’re already nearing the finishing line,” Izani was quoted as saying.

However, the two-year period mainly refers to the completion of three water treatment plants. The state’s wider targets for water production, quality and reducing leaks are set for 2030.

The east coast state has long faced complaints about dry taps, low water pressure and discoloured water. It also produces less water than it needs, while more than half of its treated water is lost before reaching users.

Izani said a RM55 million water treatment plant in Chicha was expected to be completed in September, while the Kelar and Tok Bali plants are slated to commence operations in March 2027 and 2028, respectively.

He said Kelantan aims to produce water up to 800 million litres a day (MLD) by 2030. The state currently needs about 600 MLD.

Its 43 existing treatment plants produce about 529 MLD, leaving several districts with a shortage.

Izani said the state also hoped to reduce its non-revenue water rate from more than 50% to 40% by 2030. Non-revenue water is treated water that is lost before it reaches users, mainly because of leaking pipes.

He said the state planned to replace between 150km and 200km of old pipes each year.

Izani added that the state’s long-term goal was to provide piped water from Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd to all residents by 2050.

Kelantan’s long-standing water problems have forced many households to depend on tube wells, rivers and other water sources, especially in rural areas. - FMT