FREQUENT disruption of water supply to the areas in Klang Valley, especially Selangor, has affected numerous industries including the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Entrepreneurs and traders lost thousands of ringgit in revenue each day when their operations experienced unscheduled water cuts, especially when these last for many days.

This includes the incidents that occurred last month and on Sunday, which were caused by pollution at raw water sources. As a result the Sg Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi water treatment plants had to be shut for emergency maintenance works.

As of 6pm yesterday, water supply had been restored to 238 areas. The remaining 36 were still waiting for their taps to run again.

SME Association of Malaysia president Michael Kang Hua Keong said most of the industries that suffered losses were those involved in food production.

“All food manufacturers need water to ensure food safety and hygiene… without water how are we going to maintain food safety standards?” he told Bernama.

Kang hoped that the state and the federal governments would monitor this problem by ensuring that all sources of raw water are safe and that there would be no more water supply disruptions in the future.

Meanwhile, Mohd Lutfi Abd Rashid, 33, who manages NR Tart Enterprise in Shah Alam, said the company lost between RM3,000 and RM4,000 per day when the tart manufacturing factory experienced a water supply cut.

“Last month, for example, the impact we faced was terribly severe. We had to stop production. When it comes to food items, we have to use water. It is not hygienic if we don’t wash the equipment,” he said.

Mohd Lutfi said in the event of water supply disruption, the relevant parties should carry out water rationing in stages with priority given to industrial areas.

Muhammad Afiq Nor Hassim, a 33-year-old chicken supplier in Meru, Klang, had to halt business activities for four days last month due to the unscheduled water supply disruption. This caused losses that came up to about RM5,000 as he could not supply fresh chicken to canteens and eateries.

“I was informed about the water supply disruption at the last minute and I did not have enough time to store water. I need to wash the slaughtered chickens before selling them as cleanliness is a very important,” he said.

He also called on stricter legal actions against individuals or companies that are responsible for causing the water pollution.

The water crisis has also affected a Felix Chang, 44, owner of a barbershop in Taman OUG, KL.

“I suffered an estimated loss of RM1,000 per day due to the three-day water cut last month.

“I suggest that the government should compensate us by at least giving a discount on water bills and at the same time provide water to business lots when water supply disruptions recur,” he said. – Bernama, October 8, 2020.