Selangor: The Selangor government has announced that it will maintain the minimum water charge for domestic users consuming up to 20 cubic metres per month at RM6.50, with the tariff remaining at 65 sen per cubic metre. This decision was confirmed by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who stated that there will be no increase in the minimum charge, which was last adjusted in February 2024.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the water tariff adjustment was based on rates set by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), following the Cabinet's approval of a new tariff structure for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan. This revision comes in response to applications from various states aiming to enhance water services for both the public and industry. Amirudin emphasized that the adjustment is necessary to support efforts to increase water reserves to 20 percent by 2030.
He explained that the tariff change will enable Air Selangor to replace over 1,600 kilometres of aging asbestos pipes across Selangor, at a pace of 300 kilometres per year. For households using between 20 and 35 cubic metres monthly, the rate will increase by RM0.30 per cubic metre, while those consuming more than 35 cubic metres will see an increase of RM0.88 per cubic metre.
Amirudin stated that the new rates are intended to encourage efficient water usage. For condominiums, estate, and government quarters, the charge will rise by RM0.41 per cubic metre, with the minimum bulk charge for condominiums remaining at RM173 per month. The new minimum monthly charge for estate and government quarters will be RM20.90.
The smallest increase among domestic categories is for low-cost housing residents, with a rise of RM0.10 per cubic metre. The state aims to balance water charges for commercial enterprises to avoid burdening businesses, charging commercial spaces the same rate as households consuming more than 35 cubic metres, with a new rate of RM3.51 per cubic metre.
Registered places of worship and welfare institutions will have a RM0.10 increase, while the shipping industry will face a rate of RM8.01 per cubic metre. Data centres will incur a rate of RM5.31 per cubic metre. The new rates will take effect on September 1, allowing users time to prepare.
Air Selangor is constructing new water treatment plants in Rasau and Labohan Dagang 2, with a combined cost of approximately RM8.15 billion, to increase treated water capacity. The government remains committed to providing free water to over 1.3 million residents under the Skim Air Darul Ehsan (SADE) and will absorb costs for places of worship and welfare institutions, amounting to an estimated RM52.7 million annually.