GEORGE TOWN: Penang government justified its application to review water tariff made to the Federal government saying it was to fund the planned water supply engineering projects.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that if the water tariff review was approved, all the additional income from it would be invested in the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) project.
“PBAPP plans to invest RM501 million in the water supply project for the benefit of Penangites in three years.
“Following that, PBAPP will have to obtain sufficient funds to materialise the project for the future of Penang. We might face water crisis during dry season every year,” he said at a press conference today.
Also present was PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa.
Chow who is also the PBAPP chairman said that the RM501 million investment was for the main projects to ensure sustainable water supply in the state.
He said that in 2017, the water demand was 826 million litres per day (MLD) and by the year 2050 the water demand was projected to be 128 per cent higher at 1,884 MLD.
The projects were Butterworth-Penang Island Twin Submarine Pipeline, Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme, Upgrading of All Existing Water Treatment Plants, Reservoirs and Pumping Stations, New Pipelines/Replacement Pipelines, Non-Revenue Water Management.
Chow said the new water tariff was still under discussion with the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry.
“We are still waiting. Even though we can discuss and propose, it is up to the Federal government,” he added.
Recently Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar announced the tariff and said it had to be raised to ensure that consumers receive good quality water and services.
He said the ministry had worked with the National Water Services Commission and held discussions with the state governments to get the agreement of all parties before the tariff hike was implemented.
