Water quality in Kelantan not up to standard

THE quality of water supply in Kelantan does not meet the standard set by the Health Ministry, said the Auditor-General’s Report.

It said the state water management company, Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd, did not place priority in cleaning its water pipes.

And when flushing was done, it was carried out without complying with the standard operating procedure, said the report, adding that records were incomplete.

“This has resulted in the quality of water supplied to consumers not meeting the standard set by the Health Ministry,” it said.

The report said there were many complaints from consumers in the state on the problems of water disruption and murky water especially in Kota Baru, Tanah Merah and Gua Musang.

“Air Kelantan must solve this problem immediately,” it said.

The state utility company, it said, should carry out pipe flushing works on a regular basis and not only carry out such works when there were complaints from consumers about murky water.

It also described the management of water supply in the state as less than satisfactory.

Among the weaknesses mentioned were:

> DELAY in gazetting treatment plant;

> NON-MONITORING of water catchment areas; and

> NOT gazetting raw water charges.

The report recommended the state government and Air Kelantan to expedite the move to gazette water catchment areas and water treatment plants as protected zone and to upgrade water treatment plant.

The A-G’s Report also noted that the repair on damaged equipment, particularly on filter nozzles were not given due priority due to the company’s financial constraints.