Selangor is exploring desalination plants as a strategic measure to diversify its water sources.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the state was studying its feasibility.
Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or brackish water to create fresh supply fit for human consumption.
“Previously, the cost of a desalination plant was not economical.
“However, over the past few years the cost of desalination plants have become more competitive and viable now.
“It is like how solar panels used to be expensive but due to mass production and higher market needs, the cost has gone down,” Izham said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting in Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor, Shah Alam.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Rajiv Rishyakaran (PH-Bukit Gasing) on whether desalination plants would increase water tariffs.
“We have received a few proposals for desalination plants at two locations, each with a capacity of 300 million litres per day.
“We will decide after considering the technical aspects, strategy, and economic feasibility of its implementation,” Izham said, but did not reveal the locations.
He said the current water supply reserve margin was at 17.4% or 1,130 million litres per day (MLD).
“According to the reserve margin guidelines set by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), a water reserve margin exceeding 15% is categorised as high.
“Currently, the total treated water production capacity from all 34 water treatment plants (WTP) is 6,500 MLD, while the average consumer demand is 5,370 MLD.
“Air Selangor also projects that the required water storage capacity or reserve margin over the next five years will be 20%.
“Four water treatment plants are currently under construction or in the planning stage, to ensure the water reserve margin consistently stays above 15% in line with rising demand,” he said in reply to Chua Wei Kiat (PH-Rawang) on Selangor’s water reserve status.
Izham said the state was also developing the Selangor Off-River Storage Scheme for both flood mitigation and water reserve during drought.
“The scheme will connect cluster ponds through piping to control water levels in rivers during dry and rainy seasons.
“We will conduct thorough studies on 185 lakes and ponds that can serve both functions.
“The water quality at these ponds is satisfactory, with no pollution detected,” he said, in reply to Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Sijangkang) on utilising former mining ponds.
