THE United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
However, indicators suggest the world is not on track to meet the environmental dimensions of SDG 6.
The 2023 UN Water Action Agenda points towards a rethinking of water policies, by fostering inclusive partnerships and increasing financial investment in water infrastructure.
This agenda calls on all stakeholders to address the global water crisis through voluntary commitments that prioritise better water management.
Malaysia’s Water Sector Transformation 2040 (WST 2040) aligns with this global vision, aiming to secure water resources and position the country as a regional water hub by 2040.
The WST focuses on improving governance, enhancing financial sustainability and adopting smart technologies to drive sustainable water management.
It also addresses the water-energy-food nexus and integrates climate adaptation strategies to build resilience into Malaysia’s water infrastructure.
The challenges that we face in realising water security cannot be tackled in isolation.
There must be a holistic approach that balances the needs of society, economy and the environment.
The balance involves simultaneous efforts in water conservation together with river protection to ensure water security.
Opening new taps
New, innovative strategies need to be adopted. This includes the “opening up of new taps” to secure water supply for future generations:
> Rainwater harvesting: Given the country’s significant rainfall, rainwater harvesting should be actively promoted as an alternative water resource.
The implementation of rainwater harvesting systems can reduce reliance on treated water, particularly for non-essential uses like irrigation and toilet flushing.
> Reclaimed water: This can be used in a variety of economic activities such as construction, agriculture and industrial sectors. It can help to reduce the demand for treated water.
By repurposing water within industrial systems, businesses can achieve significant savings while contributing to water security.
> Reducing non-revenue water (NRW): Addressing water losses caused by leakages and theft is essential.
Currently, Malaysia loses a third of its treated water due to NRW, costing us billions annually.
Minimising these losses will free up water reserves and lessen the need for new treatment plants.
> Lowering water consumption: The country’s average water consumption stands at 247 litres per capita per day (LCD), according to the National Water Services Commission (Span).
This is equivalent to 134 1.5-litre bottles of mineral water and significantly higher than the World Health Organisation’s recommended level of 165 LCD.
Reducing consumption to align with global health guidelines would not only help conserve water but also alleviate stress on Malaysia’s water infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability.
> Water footprint: Education the public on water footprint must become a key component of awareness campaigns.
For instance, producing just one pair of jeans can consume up to 10,000 litres of water, highlighting the significant hidden water costs of everyday products.
Additionally, it takes 140 litres of water to produce a single cup of coffee.
Understanding the water footprint of items such as jeans, coffee and other consumables encourages more responsible consumption.
By integrating this knowledge into educational programmes and emphasising it in environmental, social and governance reporting, both industries and consumers can make more informed decisions that support water conservation, ultimately leading to more prudent use of water resources throughout society.
Strengthening river protection
Water conservation and river protection must be implemented concurrently, with each effort complementing the other.
These initiatives are interdependent and require simultaneous action to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources while maintaining the ecological integrity of rivers.
Protecting rivers requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses pollution prevention, ecosystem restoration and sustainable management practices.
The following key initiatives should guide Malaysia’s efforts to safeguard its river systems:
> Zero discharge policy: Industries should be mandated to recycle and reuse wastewater instead of discharging it into rivers. Any discharge into the rivers should result in a fine.
This approach minimises pollution and promotes more efficient water use.
Selangor, Malaysia’s largest industrial state, has recently introduced a zero discharge policy as a proactive measure to address water pollution.
This policy requires industries to treat and reuse all wastewater without releasing any into natural water bodies, serving as an excellent model for other states to adopt.
As this policy expands, industries must be held accountable through stricter enforcement and financial penalties for non-compliance, ensuring long-term water security and cleaner rivers nationwide.
> Water conservation surcharge: Malaysia should introduce a surcharge to promote prudent water use.
The tax would emphasise the scarcity value of water and encourage conservation across all levels of society.
Countries like Singapore have implemented water conservation surcharge models based on the principle of “the more you consume, the more you pay.”
In Singapore, the water conservation tax progressively increases with higher consumption, indirectly promoting water recycling and efficient usage.
> National river basin authority: To streamline river governance, Malaysia should establish a federal agency to oversee river management based on a basin approach, similar to Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
This agency would help resolve conflicts over water use and ensure sustainable management of river systems.
Adopting a basin-wide management strategy is critical for any country facing competing water demands.
This approach considers the river as a whole rather than fragmented segments, promoting equitable water allocation and long-term sustainability.
A growing global movement calls for granting rivers legal personhood, a concept gaining traction in countries like New Zealand, Canada, Colombia and Bangladesh.
This legal status provides rivers with rights that protect from exploitation and pollution, aligning with indigenous values that view rivers as living entities.
Additionally, incorporating indigenous knowledge into river management is crucial. Indigenous communities have long understood the spiritual and ecological importance of rivers.
By recognising their wisdom and adopting practices that protect river ecosystems, countries with significant indigenous populationd can enhance environmental conservation while upholding cultural heritage.
In conclusion, water conservation and river protection should be perceived as inseparable components of a single ecosystem, essential in ensuring water security.
This approach can serve as a strategy for addressing the challenges of climate change and river degradation, while contributing to sustaining life and fostering economic growth, including enhancing environmental resilience.
Let us remember that when a river stops flowing, life ceases to flourish.
Charles Santiago is the chairman of the National Water Services Commission. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
