SHAH ALAM, 20 May: The Federal Government has been urged to prioritise efforts to solve the water industry restructuring so that the Selangor State Government can restore the water supply services which is not managed well by the Selangor Water Supply Company (Syabas).
Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the statement issued by Syabas admitting that the clean water supply is not enough confirms early statements by the State Government previously that priority should be given to treated water and not raw water.
“The lack of clean water supply is because of the weakness in the maintenance of water treatment plants, water pipes which are unsatisfactory and Syabas’ failure in having a logistics system which is effective in channeling water to consumers.
“This is coupled with the failure of Syabas in lowering non-revenue water (NRW) from 33 percent to 15 percent in 2012, as agreed in the privatisation agreement,” he said in a press statement.
This statement is a response to information provided by Syabas the 13,500 consumers in Gombak and Kuala Lumpur will experience unscheduled water supply disruption, including low pressure, due to the decline in water levels at the company’s main pool since yesterday.
The concessionaire stated that the areas in Gombak involved are lembah Jaya Utara, Desa Lebuh Permai, Kampung Muhibbah, Kampung Tasek Permai, Kampung Ampang Campuran, Kampung Tasir Tambahan, Taman Sri Baru and Taman Dagang Jaya.
In Kuala Lumpur, the affected areas are Bandar Seri Permaisuri, Taman Shamelin, Jalan Ikan Emas and Jalan Yaakob Latif, while other areas include the five-storey flat in Desa Pandan, Taman Dagang and Taman Nirwanasa Maju.
Syabas stated that the disruptions will occur due to the reduction of pump operations at the Wangsa Maju Pump House resulting in a decrease at critical levels at the Syabas main pond yesterday.
Khalid added that this is also the same reason why the Langat 2 mega project is not a solution to the water problem.
Instead, he stressed that the best solution is by ensuring an efficient and effective water operator.