Johor records high water usage

Change of climate as well as intrusion of catchment area for agricultural work is said to have caused water levels in several dams, such as in Sungai Lebam dam, to decrease.— filepic

NUSAJAYA: Johor recorded the highest number of water usage compared to developed nations including Singapore, the United Kingdom and even Hong Kong.

State Works, Regional and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said water usage here is much higher than in those countries due to development taking place.

He pointed out that Johor has an average usage of water amounting to 220l, which is higher than Singapore at 155l, United Kingdom (150l) and Hong Kong (130l).

“This together with change of climate as well as intrusion of catchment area for agricultural work caused water levels in several dams, in particular Sultan Iskandar dam and Sungai Lebam dam, to decrease.

“The Johor government is looking at several ways to improve the situation and hopefully will resolve water problems in Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi and several parts within Johor Baru,” he said.

He added that the increase is due to the massive developments taking place within Iskandar Malaysia and the Rapid project in Pengerang.

Hasni said this in his reply to Ayub Jamil (BN-Rengit), Mohd Azahar Ibrahim (BN-Tenang), Datuk Syed Sis Syed A. Rahman (BN-Tanjung Surat), Chee Peck Choo (DAP-Yong Peng), Tan Chen Choon (DAP-Jementah), Aminolhuda Hassan (Amanah-Parit Yaani) and Liow Cai Tung (DAP-Johor Jaya) at the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar here yesterday.

Hasni pointed out that the state government received allocation under the 11th Malaysian Plan to develop water sources in Johor.

“We received an allocation of RM57mil which allows us to conduct studies including building a barrage in Sungai Johor.

“This barrage will help stop sea water from entering the river and increase the water at its catchment area to 550 million litres that would be channelled to Sungai Layang dam,” he said.

He also added that besides the barrage, which would be completed within the next five months, the government will also build and improve dams located throughout Johor.

“We will also build new water treatment plants in Pagoh, Kahang and Buloh Kasap, and we are optimistic that our steps would help resolve water issues here,” he said.