THE federal government is in ongoing discussions with the individual states over a review of water tariffs.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the discussions had been going on for nearly 20 years.

“A review of water tariffs is not something new… it’s not that we as a government have come in and started to increase water tariffs.

“The discussions have been going on for the past 15 to 20 years, but nothing has been done,” he said today.

Xavier said some states had problems with industrial water supply which, without federal government intervention, would lead to water stress.

Meanwhile, Xavier who considers access to water as a basic human right, said participation by the private sector was needed for the development of the national water industry. 

He said the amendment to the Water Services Industry Act 2006 would streamline the procedures and regulations for development. 

It has been proposed that the water tariff be increased from 0.06 sen to 0.71 sen per 1,000 litres.

The current average water tariff rate is RM1.38 per 1,000 litres compared to the cost of RM2.31 per 1,000 litres. – Bernama, February 6, 2020.