GOMBAK: Illegal water pipelines at a railway project construction site in Taman Melati, Gombak have been dismantled in a surprise operation conducted by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) this morning.
Air Selangor had submitted a complaint to SPAN regarding the issue after receiving a tip-off about premises illegally diverting water from its main pipeline for over the period of a year.
Based on this, SPAN shut down the illegal pipelines by excavating and removing the unmetered pipes.
The unmetered pipelines consist of two 25mm and 32mm HDPE pipes used to channel water to the workers' quarters of the construction company and also to collect water in tanks for cleaning vehicles moving in and out of the site.
Chlorine testing on-site also showed that the pipes were carrying treated water.
According to the SPAN enforcement division director Ainal Yusman Mohamad Yusop, another illegal pipeline was also removed in Serendah this morning, also at a railway project construction site.
Ainal Yusman added that an estimated 175,000 cubic metres of water was stolen in Taman Melati and 75,000 cubic metres in Serendah, amounting to an estimated total loss of RM410,000 in revenue for Air Selangor over a year.
Following this, SPAN said it would investigate and compound or charge those involved in the water theft.
“We hope that through this operation, we can increase public awareness about water theft and illegal pipelines to prevent this type of irresponsible behaviour,” added Ainal.
SPAN encourages consumers to cooperate and report any suspected cases of water theft via WhatsApp at 013 388 5000 or via email at aduan@span.gov.my
