The 20 to 75 percent rise in water tariffs for Selangor and the federal territories of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur as announced by the state government yesterday is illogical and unjustified, said a human rights group today.

"The Selangor state government cannot justify such exorbitant water tariff increases when there is no serious effort to implement proper water demand management incorporating water conservation campaigns," said Suaram director Dr Kua Kia Soong.

In his press statement, Kua further said it was shocking that the state government has the temerity to impose the increase on Selangor consumers based on its appalling record on water management in the state and its privatisation policy so far.

It was reported in Bernama yesterday that domestic consumers would see their monthly bills increase from RM9.55 to RM11.40 a month, while industrial and commercial users would face a 50 percent increase for the first 35 cu m and a 60 percent rise for usage above 35 cu m.

Shipping and government sectors would have to pay 75 percent more while religious and welfare organisations would have to pay 20 percent more.

Kua said there is a need for a public audit and utilities commission to make such increases more open and transparent to the public.

"To satisfy consumers if there is any tariff increase, there should be a public audit of all water privatisation contracts and management. Only then can such an increase be justified."

Non-revenue water

Kua said that there is no proper action taken in repiping the water network which continually loses non-revenue water (NRW) through leakage, bad management and industrial consumption.

NRW is wasted water supply via leaking pipes, faulty water meters and water theft. According to Kua, the state loses 40 percent of its treated water.

There is also no serious effort to clean up all rivers and preserve the natural water catchment, he added.

On the matter of leaky pipes and negligent contractors, Kua also questioned if there would actually be compensation for consumers.

"The so-called water crisis a few years ago was actually caused by incompetence and negligence of the contractor who failed to detect diesel that had leaked into the Semenyih water catchment at Sungai Langat.

"Will we be compensated when there is a water cut, loss of water pressure or when there is muddy water in our taps as has happened on countless occasions?" he asked.

Wrong target

Meanwhile, SOS Selangor or Save Our Sungai Selangor said the tariff increase is basically penalising the innocent public for mismanagement on the part of the public utility works.

"The party that has to bear the most responsibility for the size of the fiscal deficit of the state's water supply must be the Selangor Water Works Department (JBAS) since it presides over the continuing loss of 40 percent of the treated water produced in the state," said spokesperson Sam Hui.

Hui added that with the 40 percent loss of treated water, Selangor has the highest rate of producing NRW and is thus the worst water supply utility in the country.

He said the situation has not improved since the water crisis of 1997.

"We would like the state to explain to the public what has been done to improve the situation since 1997."