Dr Xavier: Water tariff expected to rise next year

KUALA LUMPUR: The water tariff is expected to go up once the new Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM) comes into effect next year, says Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jeyakumar.

"We have done research on three bands with regard to the volume of household usage of water. For example, those under Band 3 are those who use a lot of water, so they will pay more.

"But, most or about 60% fall under the 1st band, where they use very little water.

"The rise will depend very much on household use," he said, advising people not to wash their car every day if they want to ensure lower monthly bills.

Dr Xavier said this on Wednesday (Nov 13) when winding up his ministerial replies on Budget 2020, but could not say how much monthly water bills would increase, only assuring that the TSM will see water tariff going up between seven and seventy sen per 1,000 litres.

He did not give a time frame for the implementation of the TSM, saying that discussion is still ongoing with several states on the matter.

Dr Xavier stressed that it was crucial for state authorities to increase water tariffs, in order to improve water management and distribution system industry as they lacked funds to upgrade existing facilities to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) losses.

"For example, it will cost about RM1bil just to reduce NRW by 1%, and this a huge burden on the government," he said, adding that the goal was to reduce NRW losses from 31% to 25%.

He said he was aware that there would be some public backlash when the water tariff is raised.

He also urged MPs to help explain the situation to their respective constituents and the need to improve the nation's awareness on water management system.

"If you want water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, then you have to pay for it. Many have no qualms paying RM30 to top up their handphones, but make such a fuss if they are told that the water cost would rise by 30sen," he said.