A SECOND pipeline to carry only non-potable water for industrial and commercial use is in the works in Selangor.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the country currently relied on a single-pipe system, where treated drinking water was also used for industrial purposes and toilet flushing.
The plan is for the National Water Services Commission to channel treated and non-treated water separately.
“Currently, our country uses a single pipeline, which means our treated water is used for drinking and to flush toilets.
“There are no separate pipelines for domestic and commercial use.
“The supply is from the same water treatment plants. This is clearly very wasteful,” he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam yesterday.
He was replying to Rajiv Rishyakaran (PH-Bukit Gasing) who asked if there was a separate pipeline to deal with sewerage system needs.
To a supplementary question by Mohd Razali Saari (PN-Sungai Panjang) on curbing water theft, Izham said 252 cases of water theft were detected within two years.
“In 2025 there were 209 cases, of which 25 involved domestic accounts and 184 were commercial.
“Up to March 2026, 43 cases have been identified, of which 12 involved domestic accounts and 31 commercial.
“Water theft greatly affects the supply system and the interests of legitimate consumers.
“It also has a direct impact on the rate of non-revenue water, water pressure stability and integrity of the existing pipeline network,” said Izham.
He said Air Selangor had carried out continuous monitoring and taken action under Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655).
“Among actions taken is analysing monthly billing patterns by types of premises or sector.
“The public can call its official complaints channel at 15300 or through its mobile app (if they notice any pipe leakages),” he said.
As for long-term plans to maintain stable water pressure, Izham said Air Selangor would continue replacing old pipes and upgrading pump houses, reservoirs and water treatment plants.
He said improvement of grid interconnectivity was also being formulated between two or more water supply distribution systems.
He further said that the Middle East conflict was expected to increase electricity bills for Air Selangor’s water treatment plants.
