Photo: Bernama
KUALA SELANGOR: Selangor is developing a master plan to address various aspects of the state's water supply, including storage and catchment pond locations.
The master plan will serve as a guideline to manage both dry and rainy seasons.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari stated that the Water Master Plan would cover all matters related to water supply comprehensively, including a long-term flood control system.
According to Amirudin, the plan is expected to be completed within a year.
"If there is less water, we will face supply problems, and if there is excess water, there will be floods.
"This master plan will look comprehensively into both aspects," said Amirudin at an event where the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) Package A and C project was handed over to Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd.
Amirudin added that more than 100 water catchment ponds have been identified throughout Selangor, with most currently in the process of being gazetted as strategic storage areas.
The state government's SJAM implementation will also be part of the Water Master Plan, with SJAM expected to ensure sufficient water supply for at least the next 50 years.
On another matter, Amirudin said the Selangor Water Management Board (LUAS) enactment would be streamlined to punish those caught polluting the environment.
He added that punishment could include fines up to RM1mil and a mandatory jail term not exceeding three years.
Amirudin noted that despite identifying pollution causes, the burden of proof often results in offenders escaping legal action.
"Smell pollution, for example, takes more than 18 to 24 hours to reach the Selangor dam.
"Meaning that if anything occurs in Batang Kali it would take 15 to 16 hours for it to reach here, and evidence becomes erased.
"That is one of the challenges we face," he added.
He said the streamlining of the enactment would allow state government enforcement to carry out thorough investigations and prosecutions.
Amirudin mentioned that sometimes pollution is detected, but the source cannot be identified when the party causing the pollution stops the act.
"So, we can counter the pollution, but unfortunately we cannot detain and prosecute," said Amirudin.
On the SJAM, Amirudin said handing over the two packages complemented two other packages already in operation, guaranteeing continuous water supply to four million residents of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya.
He added that RM320mil has been spent on the SJAM to ensure water supply to 1.2 million consumer accounts, even in the event of pollution.
