Kuala Lumpur: Without any sense of guilt, tap water flows freely into drains, turning into waste. This may be attributed to the persistently low water tariffs, despite recent hikes. This scenario is not imaginary; it's a reality often observed in many premises and homes across the country, prompting the question of how long Malaysians will continue to take the prudent use of water lightly.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a joint study by the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) and the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) projects that the country may face a prolonged drought from this year until 2035. The same study also predicts a temperature increase of 0.6 to 0.9 degrees Celsius during that period, resulting in an extreme drought season. The outcome is clear: raw water resources will decline, affecting water supply for the public and economic sectors, as experienced during the droughts of 1997-1998 and 2015-2016.
Participating in the Water Resources Expedition 2024, tracing the Bernam and Selangor River basins organised by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia, highlighted the critical importance of water conservation. The first destination, along with about 70 participants from various government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), researchers, media practitioners, and influencers, was the Sungai Selangor Dam in Kuala Kubu Bharu, one of seven dams in Selangor.
According to a briefing by officials from Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, this dam is the largest in the state, with a capacity of 230 million cubic metres, supplying over 60 per cent of household needs in the Klang Valley, including Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and most of Selangor. Despite its robustness in water storage, the dam is not exempt from the threat of drought. In 2014, it recorded its lowest water storage level of 31.12 per cent in April, nearing the critical level of 30 per cent.
Participants were then taken to Alor Lempah, Ampang Pecah, an area known as the 'Mini Niagara Waterfall,' a weekend attraction for picnics and recreation. A myth behind the name Ampang Pecah involves a white crocodile that rampaged after its keeper was killed, causing the dam to break and flood the entire Kuala Kubu town and surrounding areas. Historically, the tragedy occurred in 1883, claiming 33 lives, leading to the birth of the Kuala Kubu Bharu town known today.
To enhance participants' understanding of clean water supply, the expedition visited the Sungai Selangor Phase II Water Treatment Plant in Bestari Jaya. This facility provides treated water to 20 per cent of the Klang Valley population. Here, participants were briefed on the process of producing treated water, starting with pre-treatment to remove unpleasant odours and tastes, followed by further steps.
Generally, the water supplied to consumers in the country is safe, with more than 90 per cent of the supply meeting the standards set by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. However, the risk of contamination remains when it travels through residential piping systems, according to researcher and lecturer Dr Mohd Sofiyan Sulaiman from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), who also participated in the expedition.
Beyond climate-related threats, Malaysia's water supply system often faces contamination risks, prompting authorities to shut down water treatment plants and directly impacting consumers. Despite stringent legal penalties, such incidents persist, often involving factories discharging pollutants into drainage systems that eventually contaminate rivers. To strengthen enforcement, the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) operates under the provisions of the LUAS Enactment 1999.
Our next destination was the Firefly Sanctuary in Kampung Kuantan, Kuala Selangor, to witness the glow of fireflies, a major attraction for tourists. This phenomenon can only be witnessed in Kampung Bukit Belimbing and Kampung Kuantan. The water level of the Selangor River plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance for the firefly colonies. However, the chairman of the Kampung Kuantan Firefly Rowing Association, Shahril Adlan Ahmad, noted that the glow of fireflies in the area is dimming, indicating a decline in their population.
On the final day of the expedition, participants visited the JPS Irrigation Gallery in Kuala Selangor to explore water resource management, particularly irrigation for padi fields in Tanjung Karang. Here, natural water filtration techniques using materials like charcoal, sand, and stones were demonstrated by Mohd Sofiyan from UMT. Additionally, the creation of 'mudballs,' containing beneficial microorganisms for treating polluted water, was demonstrated by Professor Nabsiah Abdul Wahid from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
At the end of the program, the Deputy Director-General of JPS, Datuk Ir Rozaman Mohamad, stressed the importance of conserving water resources, quoting lyrics from the song Bengawan Solo, reflecting the role of rivers in human life and the consequences when they are threatened. It is crucial to take heed and intensify efforts to safeguard river basins, including practising prudent water usage.