All parties are well aware that Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) in collaboration with the Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (Wecam) and Forum Air Malaysia have completed a study on groundwater extraction.

The study and information given was based on standards set by credible international agencies. We have also extended the report to all parliament members, all menteri besar, all chief ministers, heads of government agencies, state government excos as well as the water supply companies.

We were therefore shocked to hear that the government decided to allow Sime Darby Berhad to carry out groundwater ‘exploration’ works at Labuan even when there are other technologies available for emergency purposes.

What will be the cost of this exploration? Can it be shared with the rakyat?

According to scientific fact, for every one feet drop in fresh water levels, there will be increase in 40 feet of seawater. This will form ‘cone of depression’ and this is how seawater intrusion takes place.

Another report states that the Lopez Island in the US has shown that 46 percent of 185 fresh water samples taken have shown proof of sea water intrusion. Lopez Island is of the size of 76.4 square kilometres and Labuan having nearly 75 square kilometres.

From our point of view, there should be better water demand management in place. It is recorded that Labuan as an island having up to 33.1 % of non-revenue water (NRW) while Penang had only 16.9 % in 2008.

By reducing its NRW by half, Labuan definitely can meet its water demand. Water demand management is a long-term solution to cater for the ever increasing water demand and this is vital for Malaysia to move forward as a developed nation.

We have also checked with National Water Services Commission (Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara-Span). Span is the licensing agency for water treatment and supply. Span says it has not received any application from Sime Darby Berhad to obtain a license for the treatment and supply of water.

Part II of the Licensing Provision of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 clearly states the need for obtaining a license to operate. Wecam welcomes the decision made by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister to work with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to come up with strict guidelines on groundwater utilisation as practiced in many other countries.

Our discussion with Sime Darby concluded that they are at the very basic level of study for the project and do not deserve approval by any agency as yet. Their expert himself had in many of his rebuttals actually supported our concerns.

Just one simple example the public needs to know is that the climate of countries cited by Sime Darby are different from our tropical climate. That is indeed a huge difference as the recharge rates are different.

When we refer to Semarang and Jakarta, in Indonesia as well as Bangkok, Thailand which are both tropical countries, we can see the damage done by groundwater utilisation.

Prior to Labuan, the approval Sime Darby obtained from the Department of Environment was for 500 million liters per day abstraction for whole of the Batang Padang district in Perak and the abstraction is to be only done at one location.

Definitely the groundwater flow for the whole of Batang Padang will not flow only to the Slim River area alone. Sime Darby informed us in our discussions that they are still collecting data to do a simulation model. A simulation model is the first step and not a step after approval. We leave the rest to public opinion.

Together Wecam, Fomca and Forum Air Malaysia gave an independent view . Now, it is entirely up to the government to make necessary decision and definitely take responsibility jointly with Sime Darby on the projects viability as well as its impact on the environment.

The writer is secretary-general, Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (Wecam).