Water tariffs to go up across the peninsula

PETALING JAYA: The price of treated water supplied to households will go up by 22 sen per cubic metre (1,000 litres) starting Feb 1 in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, says the National Water Services Commission (Span).

It said the adjustment was arrived at under the Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM), which kept the increase “affordable”. It added that the increase is still low and still be unable to cover the cost of providing water, which is RM1.75 per cubic metre based on 2022 records.“To minimise the impact on monthly water bills, state water supply operators are advised to continue providing targeted assistance to domestic users,” said Span in a statement yesterday.

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It said the move could no longer be deferred in order to avoid jeopardising the long-term sustainability of the water service industry.

Span added that it is crucial that tariff adjustments reflect the real cost of supplying treated water to ensure operators deliver quality water by enhancing service levels.

It added that through the tariff review, water operators are more prepared to make continuous investments to develop the infrastructure of the water supply system, which includes construction or upgrading of water treatment plants and replacing old pipes.

It also said that the increase will allow for water operators to carry out regular maintenance and deal with complaints more efficiently to ensure service continuity and meet user expectations.

Span also called on consumers to practise prudent water use, including using water-efficient products under its Water-Efficient Product Labeling Scheme, repairing any leaking pipe or faucet in their premises, as well as installing rainwater harvesting systems and using recycled water as an alternative for non-drinking purposes.

Span implemented the tariff review for the non-domestic category on Aug 1, 2022, while the implementation for the domestic category was deferred then.

Its licensing and tariff division senior director Izan Aziati Samsuri said even with the tariff review, the income generated was still insufficient to cover the costs borne by water service operators.

“These costs increase every year and it puts pressure on water operators to ensure the continuity of water services,” she said.