Proactive Planning Has Prevented Water Disruptions In Selangor

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DESPITE Selangor experiencing possibly the longest dry spell, the state government needs to be complimented for an uninterrupted water supply.
With such a long dry spell from June onwards bringing only intermittent rains here and there, most people in Selangor were expecting water cuts, shortages and rationing.
Fortunately, due to proactive planning by past and present Selangor governments any water problems have been averted despite the state being highly urbanised and industrialised.
The main problem Selangor faces now arise from pollution of river which have the effect of abrupt water cuts and it is hoped that the state authorities will show similar concern and efforts to eradicate pollution especially from industries.
The state government needs to focus more on pollution of water sources and rivers, the most pressing issue nowadays.
The construction of the Kuala Kubu Bharu dam in 2002 to regulate water supply to the water treatment plants along the river had been one of the major schemes to alleviate water shortage and disruption that could affect millions of consumers.
Many of the water treatment plants along the state’s rivers have also been upgraded with big investments.
Another important scheme was the Pahang-Selangor Raw Water transfer project channelling water from Sungai Semantan in Pahang through three tunnels measuring 44.6 kilometres via the main range to the Hulu Langat water treatment plant which has ensured enough water for domestic and industrial use for the Klang Valley.
This was the largest investment that the federal and Selangor government had made to ensure enough water for the residents and industries.
The urban sprawl in Selangor shows no sign of ending and therefore planning to overcome future water shortage is one of the essential duties of the state government.
With interruptions and shortages of water most things come to a halt and it greatly affects the livelihood of the people.
One can remember the hardship a decade ago when Selangor folks use to queue up along the roads to wait for water tankers to deliver the much needed water. It gave a negative impression of Selangor which become a developed state in 2005.
The state authorities with the help of the federal government then launched various projects and programmes to overcome the water problem and the present stable supplies was the outcome of the proactive vision of the authorities.
One must compliment the state government for this mega effort which brings so much of convenience and comfort to the people despite long dry spells or drought nowadays occurring frequently due to changes in weather and climate change.
The Selangor government’s past and present initiatives have prepared and planned well in anticipation of climate change and greater consumption of water.
This is one aspect of the state administration that must be complimented and appreciated by the people, who should be grateful for the major efforts.
V. Thomas
Sungai Buloh, Selangor
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 
- Focus Malaysia

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