NATIONAL Water Services Commission (SPAN) said the water tariff adjustment for domestic users in the peninsula and Labuan will take effect on February 1, involving an average increase of 22 cents per cubic metre. 

The water tariff adjustment is implemented under the Tariff Setting Mechanism where the tariff structure and components are standardised for states in the peninsula and Labuan, to be reviewed every three years to ensure consistency in the determination of fees. 

SPAN, in a statement today, said the domestic water tariff adjustment can no longer be delayed so as not to affect the sustainability of the water service industry in the long term, thus impacting the quality of water supply services. 

“This increase is still low and cannot cover the actual cost of providing water supply service, which is RM1.75 per cubic metre based on the actual record of 2022,” it said. 

To minimise the impact of the increase in the monthly water bills, SPAN recommended that water supply operators in the respective states continue with existing initiatives by assisting domestic users in a targeted manner such as giving rebates to the B40 group.  

According to SPAN, through the tariff review, water operators are more prepared to make continuous investments to develop the infrastructure of the water supply system, which includes construction or upgrading of water treatment plants and replacing old pipes. 

Also, they would carry out regular maintenance and deal with complaints more efficiently to ensure the continuity of water supply services and meet user expectations, it said. 

It said water tariff adjustments that reflected the cost of water supply are crucial to enable water operators to improve the level of service in supplying quality water continuously. 

SPAN also called on users to practice prudent water use, including using water-efficient products under its Water-Efficient Product Labeling Scheme, repairing any leaking pipe and faucet as well as installing rainwater harvesting systems and using recycled water as an alternative source for non-drinking purposes. – Bernama, January 17, 2024.