The delay by the Selangor government to initiate water rationing despite the Sungai Selangor dam level having dropped to 32.48 percent is akin to it being too confident it would certainly rain next month.

Association of Water and Energy Research (Awer) president S Piarapakaran ( right ) said it would be a professional step to call for water rationing now or Selangor and Kuala Lumpur folks would face a severe water crisis compared to what they faced earlier this year.

"The last water rationing was carried out when the Sungai Selangor dam level was at 46 per cent. The lowest level of Sungai Selangor dam during the last rationing was at about 36 per cent. The current Sungai Selangor dam level is just two per cent from the critical level (critical level is 30 per cent).

"Therefore, if worst scenario happens where inter-monsoon is delayed or lesser rainfall during inter-monsoon or El Nino takes place and bring dry weather, we have to face a severe water crisis," he said when contacted by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

The Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) official website www.luas.gov.my said the water level at Sungai Selangor as of 8am yesterday is 32.48 percent compared to 32.74 percent on Monday.

This situation could pose a long term risk for the water industry and the public until the completion of Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant (Langat 2) since the supply and demand of treated water is almost equal.

Asked about the possibility of declaring a water emergency, he said water rationing should firstly be imposed.

"When water emergency is declared, the supply will be more stringent. If the Selangor government can impose rationing as soon as possible, it can help to prolong the life span of Sungai Selangor dam.

"Moreover, a water emergency needs the cabinet's approval and the order must be gazetted before being implemented according to Section 56 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006."

Piarapakaran said authorities must give at least one week notice to ensure consumers in the affected areas are prepared for rationing and to ensure smooth communication.

"Additional water tankers must also be made available by authorities as there are locations where water pressure is very low and the consumers may not be able to receive water supply. This problem was observed in the last rationing exercise."

'Avoid mosquito breeding'

Meanwhile, consumers who store water in containers are advised to cover the containers to avoid mosquito breeding.

The consumers are also advised to reduce the water usage where the kitchen, bathroom, toilet and garden are identified as locations to easily reduce water comsumption.

Consumers can get more water saving tips from the Awer's official website Catch d' Hydro www.water.org.my.

National Water Services Commission (Span) corporate communication director, Carol Pelly said it has not received any application from the Selangor government to impose water rationning.

"The Selangor government and the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) are in charge of raw water supply within the state. They have the authority to declare water rationing," she told Bernama yesterday.

Meanwhile, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) corporate communications and public affairs general manager, Priscilla Alfred said Syabas did not receive any instruction to start water rationing in Selangor and the Federal Territory.

- Bernama