People Power over Water

I READ with great trepidation reports in the media on the water supply problems confronting Selangor. Blaming the current state government for the water woes is irresponsible as privatisation of water services was done before it took hold of the state. On the other hand, its provision of free water albeit with certain conditions is disconcerting. Providing free water does not make the water services industry financially sustainable. 

Water is too precious a resource to be used as a political gimmick. The looming Day Zero in South Africa’s Cape Town comes to mind. Day Zero is expected in April this year when the taps in Cape Town will run dry. This is due to a prolonged drought and also mismanagement of the water resources. 

According to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), there are over 40,000km of asbestos-cement pipes nationwide that were installed 60 years ago which need to be replaced. By the way, asbestos-cement pipes were banned from use in the United States in 1995 due to health issues. 

Pipe bursts and leakage are common due to the aging infrastructure. The quality of the water we receive is bad and as consumers we install water filters, which are expensive, in our homes. We can receive clean water if the distribution pipes are replaced. In Japan, work to replace aging pipes began in 1970 and is nearly finished.

In 2014, residents in Flint, Michigan, were exposed to high levels of lead in their drinking water due to insufficient water treatment. Lead poisoning can lead to serious development problems in children. 

As those who suffer the consequences of decisions made by the authorities are the common people, perhaps it’s time for them to be empowered to safeguard their water resources. 

I do not mind paying for the pipes to be replaced. If there is a concerted effort to replace the pipes without thinking of location or official jurisdiction, and with all consumers along with corporations and the Government chipping in, high efficiency in water management and distribution would be achieved. 

However, consumers must be guaranteed clean, clear and safe water without any disruption in the supply process. 

Looking back, in the Islamic civilization, building of water infrastructure was funded mostly by waqf (endowment funds). The wealthy contributed towards building and maintaining water canals, aqueducts and wells to benefit the public. 

In fact, water resources were managed by communities through acts of cooperation and mutual understanding. It is only recently that communities became disconnected from their water resources and put their trust in the government to supply clean potable water. 

Communities can play an important role in maintaining infrastructure for urban water supply. 

In the Philippines, for example, the Manila Water structure allows the water utility to have a direct relationship with the users through their community leaders. This allows the community to be involved in solving problems pertaining to water issues.

Water is not a limitless resource. When it stops raining it, our dams run dry. Sustainability is a key issue in water security for the future. We need to limit the usage of water per household. If the limit is exceeded, then the price must be paid. 

Rainwater must be harvested by households. There must be a limit to development because there is a carrying capacity of water for every state, and it has been exceeded in Selangor, hence the need to transfer water from Pahang. 

Alternative sources like groundwater need to be sourced in anticipation of drought to ensure there is water regardless of the climate. However, groundwater has to be extracted properly. Likewise, rivers must be protected from pollution.

We may even have to consider having a water grid to transfer water from states that have more water to those suffering from scarcity and set a market price for it based on availability. This would ensure that the natural resources in all states are preserved. 

I do not want to be poisoned like the people in Flint or be left high and dry like those in Cape Town. I would like water security for all Malaysians, present and future. 

We are blessed with natural resources but we do not know how to manage them. It is time we as consumers come forward to help ourselves, as we have done with the gated and guarded scheme for our neighbourhood security. 

KULSANOFER SYED THAJUDEEN

Petaling Jaya

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/03/09/people-power-over-water/#x8OcZMBSimErk2om.99