MB Retracts Statement, Confuse Syabas
(NST) – Despite promising that water rationing would not be extended until the fasting month in June, the Selangor state government made a ‘U-turn’ yesterday when it was announced that water rationing is expected to continue as the water level at the Sungai Selangor’s dam remained at a critical level.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the water rationing is expected to continue as the water level at Sungai Selangor dam can only supply water to about more than 60 per cent of Selangor residents for another 29 days.
The Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) that was supposed to hold a press conference on the status of water rationing in the state today postponed its programme for the second time and instead had a meeting with representatives from the state government on the crisis.
Efforts to source for more information on the crisis were unfruitful as a representative from LUAS only managed to say that they have not issue any instruction for Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to stop any water rationing activity.
Syabas Corporate Communications and Public Affairs assistant general manager, Priscilla Alfred said that they have not received any new updates from the state pertaining to the rationing.
“Only the state government and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) have the authority to decide on water rationing in light of the situation at the dams,” she said.
As of today, the water level at Sungai Selangor dam was at 38.9 per cent, 51.83 per cent at Langat dam, 54.24 per cent at Klang Gates dam, 78.8 per cent at Batu 11, Cheras treatment plant and 74.4 per cent at Semenyih dam.
The state water rationing that started on Feb 28 this year was a result of severe dry season that came unexpectedly early and unusual decrease in rainfall.
It is expected to continue until the water level at the state’s dams, especially the Sungai Selangor dam that supplies water to a majority of Selangor residents improve.
The state government’s various efforts, such as artificial cloud seeding and and plans to purchase new technology to reduce Non-revenue water, to improve the water crisis have yet to improve the water crisis in the state.
