Water-poor Penang among highest consumers

Despite lacking natural freshwater resources, the state uses about 300 litres per capita daily, above WHO recommendations

CONSUMERS in Penang have been urged to use water prudently to reduce water shortage issues in the state.

Water Watch Penang programme officer Hanson Yeoh Yong Sheng said Penang was among the states in the country with the highest daily water consumption.

“Penang, Perlis, Melaka and Negri Sembilan are considered water-poor states due to their lack of natural freshwater resources.

“Water-rich Sabah consumes the lowest amount of water at only slightly above 100 litres per capita daily, while Penang is using about 300 litres per capita daily,” he said.

He stressed that the country, in general, still needed to cut down on water consumption.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends consuming within 165 litres of water per capita daily but Malaysia is consuming about 230 litres per capita daily.

“Our neighbour Singapore’s water consumption is within the recommendation, at about 143 litres per capita daily,” he added.

Yeoh said water could be categorised into three types, namely green, grey and black, based on its suitability for reuse.

“Green water, which is from natural sources including rainwater, can be harvested for storage and purified for consumption and washing.

“Grey water is from domestic supplies such as from taps; it can be reused for other purposes such as gardening.

“Black water indicates water that is already polluted and cannot be reused,” he explained.

Yeoh urged people to preserve nature as a source of freshwater.

“It is currently too expensive for us to desalinate sea water that is around us.

“Apart from rainfall, some 80% of water consumed in Penang is sourced from Sungai Muda in Kedah, then treated at Sungai Dua water treatment plant before it is channelled to users.

“The water that flows into Sungai Muda comes from the Ulu Muda catchment area, hence it is important that we preserve it.

“If the catchment is destroyed, there will not be enough raw water to treat.”

Yeoh was among the speakers at a session of the five-day Earth Cleanup event held at the Town Hall in Jalan Padang Kota Lama, George Town.

The session saw some 50 participants from various countries sharing their views and initiatives to protect the environment.

Among them was Arifah Handayani, 48, from Indonesia, which sent the most number of participants to the event.

“This is my third year attending the event and we have 18 participants from Indonesia this year.

“I wish to learn more about best practices from other countries in the region.

“Malaysia is an ideal study area as we share many similarities in geography and environmental issues,” she said.

Since February, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has imposed new domestic water rates in compliance with the new Federal Government Regulations.

The new Water Services Industry (Rates for Water Supply Services) (Penang) (Amendment) Regulations stipulates that the new water rates for Penang are 62sen per 1,000 litres for those who use 20,000 litres or below in a month.

Rates for non-domestic water supply services are RM1.57 per 1,000 litres for those who use 35,000 litres or below.

The corporation has assured consumers that additional revenue will go towards development projects to improve its delivery and ensure water supply sufficiency.