The federal government and Selangor government should expedite the Pahang-Selangor Interstate Water Transfer and Langat 2 Dam projects to avoid a water supply crisis in Selangor.

Malaysia Water Association (MWA) president Ahmad Zahdi Jamil said it believed the Selangor water issue should be treated as a water security issue and as preparation for the future.

"Currently, the production capacity in Selangor is 4,431 million litres per day (MLD). Water demand is expected to surge to 4,907 MLD in 2014," he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Zahdi said that based on statistics, water consumption in the state had been showing an upward trend for both domestic and non-domestic users.

In 2005, some 838,040 million litres were consumed and the amount increased to 873,087 million litres in 2006, 908,432 million litres in 2007 and 940,018 million litres in 2008.

"The surge in water consumption is inevitable as Selangor is a rapidly developing state, and logically demand will inevitably increase. One must remember that water supply is the most basic of infrastructure where without it, the economy will be at a standstill.

"Based on the economic growth of Selangor and the Klang Valley as a whole, we believe that an increase in production should take place to better prepare ourselves for the future," said Ahmad Zahdi.

Pointing out five examples, including the Malacca water crisis in 1991/1992 and Klang Valley water crisis in 1998, he said disruption in water supply had been shown to affect work and daily routines and would usually be followed by huge public outcry.

"To best prepare for the water crisis, MWA suggests, among others, that water operators commit to increasing efficiency via non-revenue water reduction, while domestic users should also play a part in using water prudently.

"Another important alternative to cope with the increasing water demand is through the recycling of used water, which has proven to be successful in Thailand and Singapore," he added.

As for MWA, he said, the association pledged to contribute its expertise to assist the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and the National Water Services Commission in water-related issues.

- Bernama