Govt to introduce surcharge for high water consumption

THE Utility and Telecommunication Ministry will through the relevant water agency implement a surcharge on domestic water consumption exceeding 35,000 litres per household per month.

Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the surcharge will not be applied to households using less than 35,000 litres of water per month and that this is to encourage people to use water prudently and avoid wastage. 

Based on a study, he said, the current average water consumption for the domestic category in Sarawak is about 224 litres per day, which is equivalent to 26,880 litres per household per month.

“Even the average water consumption of 26,880 litres per household per month is still high as the United Nations has recommended the amount of water consumption per household is 19,800 litres per household per month.

“So, any household consuming more than 35,000 litres per month will be required to pay the surcharge starting next year,” he said, adding the exact date will be announced later.

 Speaking at a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here Monday, Julaihi said, the current total water demand in Sarawak is 2,000 Million Litres Per Day (MLTD) and the projected water demand in 2030 is estimated at 2,400 Million Litres Per Day (MLTD).

“As we all know, the phenomenon of climate change that is happening now can affect the security of our water resources. Therefore, all parties are urged not to waste, especially in the urban areas where water consumption is usually higher than the rural areas,” he added.

Earlier, Julaihi also said the overall coverage of water supply throughout Sarawak as of the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 is 84.2 per cent and the coverage in rural areas at a rate of 68.2 per cent.

Based on the Sarawak Water Supply and Water Grid Master Plan, he said, the latest allocation needed to implement the entire water supply project to meet long-term water supply demand is estimated at RM20 billion.

He said the Sarawak government would continue the implementation of the ‘Water Supply Grid Programme for Stressed Areas’ which received an allocation of RM4 billion under the allocation of ‘Alternative Funding’.

Under this programme, a total of 304 water supply projects have been implemented, including 237 projects which have been completed; 61 projects under construction and six projects in the planning phase.

“Once all the projects have been completed under this programme, it will be able to solve the problem of pressure and water supply, especially in rural areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, one of the main issues affecting water supply in Sarawak is the high non-revenue water, which is the loss of water during distribution to users caused by pipe leaks, water theft and non-functioning water meters.

Therefore, he said, the Sarawak government has approved the implementation of a programme to upgrade and replace the 2,742 km of old and dilapidated water pipes of various sizes, which are still in use in the water supply distribution system throughout Sarawak.

“We will start upgrading and replacing these pipes starting next year and it is estimated to cost about RM1.085 billion,” he added.