PAAB Focuses On Four States With Highest Non-revenue Water Rates

GUA MUSANG, June 11 (Bernama) -- Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) is focusing on four states that record the highest Non-Revenue Water (NRW) rates in the country, namely Perlis, Kelantan, Kedah and Pahang, through the continuous implementation of water infrastructure projects until 2050 to improve the efficiency of the country’s water supply system.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Jaseni Maidinsa, said that based on data from the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), Perlis recorded the highest NRW rate of 61.5 per cent, followed by Kelantan at 53 per cent, Kedah 51.1 per cent and Pahang 48.9 per cent.

He added that the four state have been prioritised because the high rate of treated water loss not only affects the efficiency of the state’s water supply system, but also contributes to the national NRW rate, which remains at around 34 per cent.

“If the NRW rates in these four states can be reduced, it will have a significant impact on lowering the NRW at the national level,” he told a media conference after the opening ceremony of the Bukit Chupak Water Treatment Plant (LRA) here today.

According to him, among the main causes of high NRW are ageing pipeline networks that have exceeded their lifespan and inefficiencies in water consumption measurement systems.

In Kelantan, he said, there are still about 4,005 kilometres (km) of asbestos cement (AC) pipes that need to he replaced, and the process is expected to take up to 20 years if implemented at a rate of 200km per year.

In addition to replacing the ageing pipelines, he said a total of 63,000 water metres in the state also need to be replaced to improve the accuracy of water consumption readings and help reduce the NRW rate more effectively.

“The PAAB has submitted an investment proposal of about RM1 billion for the period from 2027 to 2031 for the pipe replacement programme in Kelantan, subjec to SPAN’s approval through the state water operator’s business plan.

“The implementation of the water infrastructure projects requires substantial funding and the water tariffs need to be adjusted in stages to ensure water operations have sufficient financial resources to cover operating costs and the development of the water supply systems,” he said.

He added that the PAAB will continue to cooperate with state governments and water operators to expedite the implementation of NRW reduction projects to ensure the sustainability of water supplies and improve service quality for consumers.

-- BERNAMA