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The Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM) welcomes recent statements of concern by several elected representatives seeking clarification on response measures by the Selangor state government to the lowered Sungai Selangor dam level during the present dry season.

It appears that the impending water supply disruption in Selangor is being neglected by the authorities, leaving the Klang Valley public to face the perils of their distraction.

Prior to the Hari Raya Puasa season, the state government had announced its plan to extract water from disused mining pools to replenish Sungai Selangor, which supplies water for treatment plants downstream.

Referring to the joint letter led by EPSM and endorsed by nine civil society organisations addressed to the Selangor executive councillor in charge of infrastructure and public amenities, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, on July 22, 2014, we would again like to register our concerns over the lack of comprehensive water conservation strategies in Selangor.

The spate of water shortages in the Klang Valley during the dry periods has been a key concern among water users in Selangor, and an indication that water stresses will become more severe in the future unless action is taken.

Further, many parties have already raised concern that water from disused mining pools is inherently high in substances such as heavy metals and arsenic that are harmful to both human health and aquatic life.

Water quality sampling results released by Luas have indicated that water from these pools was within permissible water quality limits. While we do not dispute the validity of the results, previous studies have indicated otherwise, which raises our deep concern in the interest of public health.

EPSM urges the state government to exercise due precaution on the utilisation of water from disused mining pools until further evaluations are conducted to allay the fears of concerned parties.

In the interest of the general public, EPSM makes the following requests:

  • All data on water quality assessments at the mining pools and along the upstream and downstream of these pools be made available for review;
  • If water quality sampling assessments are deemed to be inadequate, further samples are to be taken, particularly to capture both low-flow (dry season) and high-flow (wet season) conditions;
  • An independent panel be appointed, comprising of technical experts and key stakeholders, to provide a fair assessment of the issue, before a decision is made on the utilisation of water from the mining pools.
Focus on long-term water security

In addition, we urge the state government to focus on the issue of long-term water security which would include future planning of water resources as well as advocating consumer conservation measures.

The preliminary results of a study conducted by EPSM and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia found a huge potential to reduce water consumption by using water efficiency equipment and changing human behaviour. They worked out to 33 percent, 29 percent and 36 percent reductions by using low shower head, dual flush toilet and not running the tap while brushing, respectively.

Based on this data, EPSM urges those living in Selangor in particular to take all measures to conserve water to tide through this dry spell. They include refraining from non-essential use of water like washing their cars and using the hose to water their gardens, and installing water efficiency equipment including a rainwater harvesting system.

EPSM would like to reiterate our request for a dialogue with the state government to provide our input and to work together towards a resolution of the matter, in the interest of ensuring safe and sustainable water resources for all water consumers in the State.


 

NITHI NESADURAI is president of the Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM).

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