AWER: Critical water level in dams, water rationing hastened

The Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER) is calling for the Selangor government to implement water rationing immediately. This is due to several dams in the state which are drying up due to the hot and dry season in the country. Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) statistics show that the Sungai Selangor dam which supplies water to 60% of residents in the Klang Valley has now reached 33%, while the Sungai Tinggi dam stood at 47%. These were two of the eight dams in the state that are below the minimum level of 55% since the water rationing plan was stopped in April. According to statistics, the water level in the Sungai Selangor dam recorded a decline of 7% compared to the data recorded in early May. It recorded the lowest water level of the dam in the history of 10 years as well invite the risk of the worst water crisis since 1997/1998. Meanwhile, the water level in Sungai Tinggi dam fell 17% in the same period. While the other six dams in the state are above the minimum level. According to the AWER President, S. Piarapakaran the state government now has no choice but to implement water rationing due to the declining water level of the dam despite the rain the past few days. However, now there are conversion issues of the Selangor menteri besar who feared would impede the ongoing restructuring of the water that was in the final stages. He said the water crisis is a technical issue in the Klang Valley and that we have a problem of not having enough treated water supply and demand. “We need to solve this problem, if not all of these things will be repeated and more severe droughts occur every time,” he added. Water rationing was first implemented in March this year when the dam level reached 46%. This time the situation is worse as the Sungai Selangor dam with just 3% to reach a critical level but still no announcement on the implementation of water rationing. Piarapakaran however, recommended a notice to be given at least one week prior to the implementation of water rationing as preparation for the consumers.