PETALING JAYA: It is high time that Malaysia take decisive action to curb non-revenue water (NRW), as longstanding mandates and stalled initiatives continue to hinder progress in the nation’s water management efforts, say several key advocacy groups.
With governmental initiatives laid out in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to reduce NRW, they said it is crucial for the people, businesses and future development prospects.
NRW, which includes losses through leaks, pipe bursts, system overflows, pilferage, underbilling by old water meters or unbilled usage such as for firefighting, poses a significant challenge.
“Since 2011, we’ve advocated for a dedicated NRW reduction task force and a comprehensive action plan,” said S. Piarapakaran, president of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER) and CEO of the Centre for Water and Energy Sustainability (CWES).
“The target of reducing NRW to 25% by 2020 was deferred to 2025, but with rates increasing to 34.3% in 2024, meeting future goals by 2030 appears increasingly untenable.”
He emphasised the need for detailed NRW reduction targets for each state, supported by clear technical specifications and standards.
“Without accurate cost benchmarking, there is a real danger of misallocating billions towards ineffective solutions.”
“SPAN must prevent these inefficiencies from being passed on to consumers through higher tariffs,” he added, referring to the National Water Services Commission, which regulates water supply and sewerage services in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territories.
Piarapakaran stressed that it is critical to maintain a reserve margin of at least 15% to ensure a reliable water supply.
“Operating with less than a 5% reserve margin is like working with fingers crossed,” he said.
Addressing large water consumers, including data centres, Piarapakaran called for the implementation of the National Water Services Industry Restructuring (NWSIR).
“By the 10MP, Indah Water Konsortium should have merged with state water operators to promote sustainability and efficiency, but it has been delayed,” he said.
He said SPAN should adopt a transparent and robust cost-benefit matrix for NRW reduction. “Every percentage drop in NRW means more water available for consumers,” he said.
Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish said the Federal Government should assist states with budget challenges in reducing NRW.
“The focus on major states like Selangor, Johor and Penang is understandable given their high demand and economic significance.
“However, smaller states with higher NRW rates, like Perlis, should not be overlooked. Federal support is crucial for these areas,” he said.
Highlighting the broader economic impacts, Faizal pointed out that NRW leads to direct losses of RM2bil annually.
He called for incorporating AI and remote sensing technology to expedite the detection of leaks and theft, particularly in vast networks like Selangor’s nearly 6,000km of pipelines.
Faizal also called for strict regulations on data centres, like using non-drinking water sources for cooling.
“Data centres must utilise alternatives like rainwater harvesting and treated wastewater.
“Selangor’s new facilities, such as the Sime Darby Data Centre, set a precedent by using industrial wastewater, a model that should be emulated in other states,” he said.
Faizal also urged the government to enforce water demand management.
“Industries should recycle all water used, and consumers need incentives to conserve water.
“Current subsidised rates lead to wasteful practices, like using drinking water for washing cars and watering gardens. Implementing surcharges on excessive use could curb this behaviour.
“Enhanced enforcement and public engagement in monitoring pollution are important too,” he said.
Engineer and SPAN commissioner Syed Mohamed Adnan called for strategic investments and competent human capital in reducing NRW.
With an estimated RM40bil required over the next 20 years to update and maintain the country’s ageing water distribution infrastructure, he called for a multi-faceted approach.
“A comprehensive and consumer-friendly tariff setting mechanism is crucial.
“Reducing NRW can delay the need for new water treatment plants by preventing treated water loss in outdated systems,” he said.
While technology plays a vital role, Syed Mohamed said we urgently need a “competent NRW team with a culture of excellence to manage technology, monitor and detect leakages and employ strategies to prevent losses”.
Addressing broader water management issues, Syed Mohamed highlighted the need for climate change preparedness.
“Raw water should be stored in dams and off-river storage facilities to prepare for droughts.
“A six-month storage capacity ensures an uninterrupted supply of raw water to treatment plants,” he said.
