I regret some incorrect news reports of the proposed increase in penalties for domestic consumers who waste water or use water excessively, has been wrongly reported as an increase in water tariffs. I reiterate that under the present proposal, water tariffs for domestic users remain unchanged.
Penang has the unfortunate record of the highest domestic water consumption rate in the country of around 286 litres per person per day in 2016. This compares unfavourable to the Malaysian national average of only 209 litres per person per day, the United Nations suggested usage of 165 and Singapore’s usage of only 148 litres per person per day.
Penang’s highest domestic water consumption is caused by the lowest water rates of only at average 32 cents for 35,000 litres per consumer per month as compared to Johor’s RM1.32(more than 4 times higher). Domestic water tariffs are so low that water is wasted. Such high domestic water consumption usage is both unsustainable environmentally and financially. Further, PBAPP has to subsidise RM91 million in 2016 to maintain the lowest domestic water rates in Malaysia.
The Penang state government has received many criticisms from NGOs(including both CAP’s S.M. Mohamed Idris and Water Watch Professor Dr Chan) for failing to be serious about conserving water and protecting the environment, by at least doubling or tripling the existing domestic water rates. Clearly the state government’s efforts to educate the public not to waste water but to conserve water has failed.
However the state government does not wish to double or triple existing domestic water tariff. We wish to urge the NGOs to give the state government one more chance by not increasing domestic water tariffs but increasing the penalties for those who waste water or use water excessively. Presently, a penalty has been imposed on those who waste water or use water excessively called the Water Conservation Surcharge(WCS).
Presently a WCS of 48 cents is imposed on every extra 1,000 litres of water used above the 35,000 litres. This WCS of 48 cents will be increased to RM 1 to curb water wastage or excessive use of water.
Consumers with large households are also taken care of because those with 8 or more family members are given a 60% discount on the WCS charges. The number of large households(8 or more family members) are small because there are less than 1,000 households enjoying the 60% discount of WCS charges.
Penang is proud of our record as the only state in Malaysian history that has never conducted any water rationing. This is due to efficient water supply management by PBAPP in laying pipes and building water infrastructure. To ensure that the no water rationing record can be maintained 10 years from now, there must be efficient water demand management too, to ensure there is no water wastage or excessive water usage. We urge domestic water consumers to help the state government achieve its no water rationing policy by not wasting water or excessively use water.