Group hails government’s plans for hike in water price

Putrajaya is urging state governments and water supply companies to raise their tariffs to improve the quality of water in the country. (AFP pic)

GEORGE TOWN: An NGO has voiced support for the government’s plans to increase water tariffs, saying this is the only way to encourage consumers to save water.

Water Watch Penang president Chan Ngai Weng.

Water Watch Penang president Chan Ngai Weng said increasing the price of water would help wean consumers off the “subsidy mentality” and penalise those who waste water.

However, he said the new tariffs should not affect those who use 20,000 litres or less a month, or those in the low-income bracket.

He told FMT that Penang, which has the lowest water prices in the country, should be the first to have its tariffs revised upwards by selling water at cost.

Noting that water was becoming increasingly scarce in Penang, for example at Sungai Dua, he said it should be sold at about RM1.30 per 1,000 litres instead of the current rate of 31 sen.

“We need to get rid of this reliance on subsidies,” he said. “Water is a critical commodity.”

Penang presently draws 80% of its water from Sungai Muda, which it shares with Kedah. With both states dependent on the river, the supply is expected to last Penang until 2020-2025, according to previous reports by the state.

Chan said any attempts to introduce measures to save water would be useless if the government did not raise water prices, especially in Penang.

A table by the National Water Services Commission shows Penang in the lead in terms of water use, compared to the national average of 201 l/c/d.

“When consumers pay an average monthly water bill of just RM10 to RM20, no one will even think about saving water.

“Likewise, hotels and factories and other large water consumers will not invest in water saving devices or install water recycling plants.”

The federal government recently announced that it would urge state governments and water supply companies to raise their tariffs, as part of efforts to improve infrastructure and the quality of water in general.

State governments have varied in response, with Johor saying it will retain its water tariffs and Penang considering an increase of between 10% and 20%.

The current price of water in Penang, which is seen as the cheapest in the country with an average bill of RM5.55 per month.

According to the National Water Services Commission, Johor charges the most for water in the country with an average monthly bill of RM21.

Melaka comes second at RM14.40, while the Klang Valley (Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) reports an average of RM14.

Negeri Sembilan has an average of RM13, followed by Perak (RM12.60), Kedah (RM12.25), Kelantan (RM11.40), Perlis (RM11.30) Pahang (RM10.22) and Terengganu (RM10).

Sabah has an average bill of RM11.80 and Sarawak, RM12.60.

Penang has the lowest average bill of RM5.55 per month, and the highest use of water at 277 litres/capita/day (l/c/d) in 2017, compared to the national average of 201 l/c/d the same year.

Comparatively, Singapore recorded 143 l/c/d in 2017. The United Nations recommendation is 148 l/c/d.

Chan, who is a professor specialising in water resources at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Humanities School, gave Water Watch’s recommended water tariff structure for Penang.

For starters, he said, the first 20,000 litres a month should remain at the current 22 sen per 1,000 litres. He said this should be enough for a family of five.

The next tariff block, 21,000-35,000 litres a month, should be 44 sen per 1,000 litres, he said. Those exceeding 35,000 litres a month should be charged RM1.30 per 1,000 litres.

He added that the RM1.30 rate would be the actual production cost and represent only cost recovery for the water service provider. - FMT