Establish water conservation units, says SPAN

All state governments have been called upon to establish water conservation units as they face rising demands for treated water.

The call was made by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago.

He said that water conservation and preservation of water catchment areas must be handled by a dedicated special unit since water comes under the jurisdiction of the state government.

“The focus is now on saving our resources, the campaign should be on conserving and reducing dependence instead of simply finding more resources,” he said, The Vibes reported.

Santiago added that current conservation campaigns are coordinated by the respective state water concessionaires which are overwhelmed with meeting the increasing demand for treated water and finding new sources.

Santiago suggested that a water conservation unit can be set up under Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s office, for example. The unit can then liaise with Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).

Santiago also called for rainwater harvesting, water recycling and sewage water reclamation to be prioritised as Malaysia faces climate change.