KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of the rainwater harvesting system (SPAH) under the National Water Resources Policy and Water Sector Transformation 2040 agenda aims to support more sustainable water management, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (pic).
The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister said it can also reduce the demand for treated water, function as a backup during disruptions and use less energy than conventional sources.
“In line with a strategy for sustainable and resilient water resource management, the ministry, through the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim), has implemented several key interventions to mainstream the use of SPAH across communities, government premises and the private sector,” he said at Dewan Negara yesterday.
He was responding to Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar on the ministry’s strategic plan to utilise the potential of rainwater as a supply source during the dry season.
Fadillah cited as an example the Nahrim Tank Software 2.0, developed in 2021, which provides online simulations to determine the optimal SPAH tank size and assess its storage efficiency and potential water savings, Bernama reported.
Additionally, he said a master plan study for a Conjunctive Water Supply System in Kuala Lumpur was also done in 2017 to identify the potential of alternative water sources in urban areas.
Fadillah said the Housing and Local Government Ministry enacted a 2011 amendment to the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 to implement SPAH in buildings, a measure subsequently adopted by 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia.
“There are 16 physical SPAH projects at government and private premises, residences and communities, including commercial buildings, since 2001, covering the installation of tanks, retention ponds and Internet of Things systems for monitoring,” he said.
Fadillah said Nahrim research shows the system has a direct impact on reducing urban flash flood risks, and that its effective application could also save up to 30% of treated water usage.
He said a study in Taman Wangsa Melawati here showed it can reduce peak rainwater flow or discharge by 10% to 20%.
“Petra will continue to evaluate the initiative’s effectiveness through impact studies from pilot projects that upgrade flood retention ponds for water supply, and through consumer acceptance studies.”
Responding to a supplementary question from Rosni on whether there are plans to provide subsidies, financial support or tax incentives to encourage more households to install SPAH, Fadillah said the proposal would be discussed with the Finance Ministry.
He said all new SPAH projects will involve installing rainwater storage tanks for conservation, stressing that this water is for non-potable uses like watering plants and washing cars.
