Underground water as new water source - Ahmad Zahid

Underground water resources will be proposed as the new source for national waters as its use so far is still low.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was because underground water reserves totaled three trillion cubic metres, but its usage contributed to only 1.5 percent to the country's overall consumption.

"Our country has many water resources and receives 907 billion cubic metres of rainfall each year which is something extra-ordinary, but we do not have enough water.

"It is impossible that a country with many water resources faces water shortage...this means that we are weak in managing water. As Chairman of the National Water Resources Council, I am affected if there are states, either in the Peninsula or Sabah and Sarawak facing water shortage...this is a big challenge," he said here today.

He said this when launching the national-level celebrations for the World Water Day 2017 with the theme "wastewater" at Dataran Teluk Kemang here, which was also attended by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid said efficient management of water was the responsibility of all parties, both at the federal government and state government levels, in order to avoid water shortages.

"We should take the example of Somalia...as many as 250 people die each day from drought, and Malaysia can give food and other aid, but it is only temporary.

"We are helping Somalia find underground water even though it is 150 meters below the ground so that it can be used for agricultural land which is parched dry. This is our contribution through technology. If we have the means to help other countries, surely we can prove that we are capable of managing water well," he said.

Ahmad Zahid also praised the Negeri Sembilan water management system which is chaired by its Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who has succeeded in managing water resources in the state well when other states were facing droughts.

He also outlined four main focus for sustainability of the national sewerage services industry.

The four focus areas are the modernisation of sewerage services through the application of new technologies which are environment-friendly and increasing coverage and accessibility in rural areas including major towns outside the Klang Valley.

Also given focus is the rationalisation of mini and uneconomical sewage treatment plants to reduce the pollution effects of affluent to the environment as well as 'waste-to-wealth' commercialisation efforts.

The World Water Day which is celebrated on March 22 each year is an annual event organised by the United Nations since 1993 to increase awareness and renew the resolve of people of all levels throughout the world to tackle water-related issues through strategic planning and action by every country.