SHAH ALAM, July 29 — Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) will raise new water tariffs at a rate of 20 sen per cubic metre for the categories of non-domestic users, houses of worship and ships effective August 1.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and public utilities, modernisation of agriculture and agro-based industry Izham Hashim said the average increase was still considered low and did not involve domestic users.
“For non-domestic use, including commercial and industrial, the increase is from RM2.07 to RM2.62 for 0 to 35 cubic metres, and from RM2.86 to RM2.28 for over 35 cubic metres.
“For houses of worship, the calculation using the pro-rate (per cubic metre) of 46 sen rises to 58 sen for each cubic metre. For the ships category, every cubic metre will rise from RM4.23 to RM7,” he said during a media conference at the Annex Building of the Selangor State Secretariat Building earlier today.
Izham said the new water tariff adjustment will help Air Selangor in terms of high capital expenditure to ensure the continued operation of the company.
“There are many expenses that we bear. The high capex is between RM30 million for 30 years. We also bear the pipe replacement costs of around RM150 million annually, which does not include other operational costs.
“The annual electricity bill alone involves RM300 million. Chemicals to treat water cost around RM80 to RM100 million yearly. So we have high (operational) costs but our tariffs are among the lowest in the region.
“The adjustment will also help Air Selangor with the state government’s plans to build new water treatment plants and pipe replacements and outdated equipment,” he added.
Izham was commenting on the government’s recent decision to maintain the water supply tariff for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan following the rising costs of living faced by Malaysians.
The Cabinet had also agreed on June 22 that tariffs for non-domestic users and special categories in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan would be increased by 25 sen per cubic metre effective August 1.
— Bernama
