The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) should supply consumers with clean water rather than advise them to fit filters in their homes as this would not solve the problem, said Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) president N Marimuthu today.

He was responding to PBAPP's statement that consumers should place filters inside their houses instead of the main pipe outside the house.

Marimuthu said some consumers use water not just for drinking but also for domestic chores such as washing clothes, cleaning eating utensils and having showers.

"Users can't and should not be expected to put filters for each pipe or tap which has its specific usage.

"The onus is on water suppliers to provide clean water and in this case the PBAPP should come up with a more viable solution to ensure consumers are not inconvenienced," he added when contacted.

PBAPP's chief executive officer Liew Chook San was quoted in today's dailies as saying that installing a water filter within three metres of the loop of the consumption meter could contaminate the source of supply due to the back-flow of unclean water.

Educate consumers

According to Marimuthu whether the filter is placed inside or outside, consumers - as far as they are concerned - want clean water supplied to their homes.

"Consumers, especially in the Klang Valley complain of water supplied being brown, murky, muddy, etc. This is contrary to claims by all state governments and water corporations in the country that water is safe and clean," he said.

He added that the corporation and relevant authorities should educate consumers in handling the matter instead of deeming the act of placing filters illegal.

"Consumers have no choice but to do what they have to in their bid to ensure that the water they use is clean and clear," he said.

The new Fomca president added that whether there may or may not be bacteria in back-flow water was secondary to a user who only sees unclear water and placing a filter would be the first step to ensuring all water coming into their homes are safe.

The media had earlier quoted Liew as saying it is an offence to do so as some filters could interfere with meter readings while filters that were not regularly maintained would lead to bacteria growth and pollute the water source.

He said water filters caused inconveniences when PBAPP wants to replace old meters and added that residents have complained when filters break down during these replacement exercises.