SPAN chairman Charles Santiago said this was also crucial considering the extreme weather events that are affecting the country.
Speaking at the Sustainability Environment Asia 2024 exhibition today, he said the increasing unpredictability in weather patterns posed a significant risk to water systems, making water conservation a key concern.
“By 2050, Malaysia is projected to experience up to 200 days of extreme heat annually, accompanied by storms and floods,” he said in his speech at the two-day event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
“These changes will place immense strain on our water systems, from supply networks to treatment facilities, impacting agriculture, industry and public health.”
A critical point Santiago raised was the importance of integrating water conservation strategies into environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks.
He said despite water’s fundamental importance, many businesses still failed to prioritise water management within their ESG efforts.
Santiago called for concrete actions, such as the adoption of rainwater harvesting systems and the implementation of a zero discharge policy in industrial states, such as Selangor.
He said such policies, which are already in place in other regions, aimed to reduce water wastage and encourage industries to treat and recycle wastewater.
Santiago also proposed the introduction of a water conservation surcharge, similar to the models in Singapore and China, to promote responsible water use across all sectors.
He said it was essential for the country to address water losses through leakages and pilfering, adding that Malaysia currently lost a third of its treated water, or non-revenue water, which costs the nation billions annually. - FMT
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