Who do we blame for water woes?

THE haze in the Klang Valley has reached unhealthy levels to a point of causing respiratory problems for some folk.

According to the Metrological Department, the unusual hot and dry spell that we are facing now and expected to continue for a few weeks is indeed cause for concern.

The current water rationing schedule by the authorities that allows a household 41 hours of water supply and no water for 55 hours for the entire month of March has created so much stress and anxiety.

An estimated 2.4 million people are expected to be affected by this large scale water rationing schedule in the Klang Valley.

Although the unpredictable weather pattern has been attributed to the current water crisis to a certain extent, we cannot completely blame everything on mother nature.

Many are of the view that the public could have been spared the present water shortage ordeal if only the Selangor state government and the Federal Government had given priority to public welfare and interest instead of playing politics.

Too much time, money and effort was spent by both parties to a point that some perceive the needs and welfare of the people have been neglected or overlooked.

Many are of the opinion that the present hot and dry weather and the water crisis are due to our unethical and selfish actions of not respecting the environment.

It is clear somewhat that the delay by the Selangor state government for the Langat 2 water tunnel project for the last six years had contributed to this sorry state of affairs in the Klang Valley today.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had said in the past that the state has enough water reserves.

He even went on to say that he will harvest the water from all the unused mining ponds in the state to meet the needs of the public.

Now that the MoU has been signed, I hope politicians from both side of the divide will put aside their political antics and focus on the welfare and needs of the people and work towards alleviating the sufferring of the people affected by the water crisis.

In the past couple of days there has been several reports in the media of incidents of death that has been directly associated with the current water shortage.

People who are seriously affected by the water crisis in their desperate state have the tendency to be highly emotional and irritable.

They may overlook personal and family safety and health during these difficult and tiring times.

Those who cannot afford to purchase new plastic containers to store their water, use all types of containers including those that were previously used for storing hazardous substances and chemicals. If these containers are not properly cleaned before they are used, they may pose a health risk to the families.

In view of the dangers and other risk factors associated with storing water in old used containers, the relevant authorities should inform the public the risk associated with storing water in containers previously used to store chemicals.

Water is crucial for all forms of life on earth. It plays an essential role for our health, economy, food production and the environment.

Drinking water which is free from contamination is crucial as according to experts, 21 of the 37 primary diseases are caused by water and sanitation.

S. PARAM

Ipoh, Perak