The risk of water rationing in Selangor is real if the impasse between the federal and state governments is not resolved soon, the Water and Energy Consumers Association of Malaysia (Wecam) said today.

Its secretary-general S Piarapakaran said the issue should not be politicised as the consumers in the state would be affected if the Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project was delayed any further.

He was commenting on the statement by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin that the Selangor government should stop dragging its feet and conclude the deal fast.

Piarapakaran pointed out that because of the impasse the preventive maintenance of the existing distribution mains was also not being undertaken and this posed a danger of an increase in the incidence of pipe bursts and disruption of water supply.

“This would also result in an increase in non-revenue water (NRW) due to leakage,” he added.  

He told Bernama studies had confirmed that the demand for treated water in the Klang Valley would increase and the Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project would help meet this demand immediately.

He said he hoped that both governments would speed up the negotiations and resolve the issue urgently for the benefit of the people who would be the ultimate losers if the impasse prolonged.

In a worst case scenario, consumers in Selangor would have to brace themselves for water rationing come 2014, he said.

- Bernama