By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Dec 18 — The state government has agreed to absorb the increased cost of water usage for over one million consumers following the tariff adjustment announced by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) yesterday.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this involves 285,673 low-income account holders who are currently participants of the Skim Air Darul Ehsan (Sade) free water programme.
As a result, Amirudin said the state government will subsidise an additional RM5.5 million a year to Sade beneficiaries.
“Previously, households that were part of Sade saved an average of RM11.40 a month (in water bills). With the revised tariff, these savings will now increase to RM13.
“This means the cost that will be absorbed by the state government will also increase from RM31.8 million to approximately RM37.3 million a year,” he said in a statement today.
On the same note, Amirudin said the state has also agreed to absorb the increase in water tariff for houses of worship and welfare homes in Selangor, which will set the government back RM2 million.
“Overall, the cost to be incurred by the state government for the provision of the free water under Sade, as well as its decision to absorb the tariff increase for worship houses and welfare centres, is estimated at RM40 million each year.”
He added that the allocation under the 2024 Selangor Budget is sufficient to cover these increased costs.
In a statement yesterday, SPAN announced that water tariffs for domestic users in the Peninsula and Federal Territory of Labuan will be adjusted effective February 1, involving an average increase of 22 cents per cubic metre.
It said the tariff hike could 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.
To minimise the impact of the increase in monthly water bills, SPAN recommended water supply operators in the respective states to assist low-income groups, including by providing rebates.
Tariff breakdown
According to Amirudin, the water tariff adjustment means the minimum charge for domestic users will now increase from RM6 to RM6.50.
He said households that use 20 cubic metres of water or less will experience an increase of 8 sen per cubic metre. The maximum increase will be RM1.60 a month.
“For usage of 20 to 35 cubic metres, there will be an increase of 29 sen, to RM1.32. This means the overall maximum increase in tariff for houses that use 35 cubic metres of water is RM5.95 a month,” he said.
“As for usage above 35 cubic metres, the new charge is RM2.63 per cubic metre compared to RM2 previously.”
Amirudin said for condominiums, the bulk minimum charge will remain at RM173 a month, while the domestic rate per cubic metre will increase by 30 sen to RM1.68. Low cost housing will see an increased tariff of 18 sen, to 98 sen.
Government quarters and estates, meanwhile, will experience a 68 sen tariff hike to RM1.68, while the new minimum charge is now RM16.80 as opposed to RM12 previously.
For commercial accounts, Amirudin said the new rate is now RM2.70 per cubic metre for the first 35 cubic metres, and RM2.94 for each additional cubic metre.
Houses of worship and charitable institutions will see the lowest tariff increase at 6 sen per cubic metre, bringing the new rate to 66 sen. Water tariff for the shipping category, meanwhile, is increased by 8 sen to RM7.08.
Sustainability assurance
Amirudin said the new water tariff will ensure water sustainability and allow state water service provider Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd to better maintain their pipes, the replacement of 300km of old pipes each year compared to 150km previously.
This, he said, will better prevent cases of pipe bursts in the state.
“In addition, the construction of new water treatment plants will be further intensified to increase the water reserve margin to 20% by 2030,” he said.
Amirudin added that the increase in tariff will also result in improved water quality through the installation of more online analysers, in line with Health Ministry’s requirements.
“The state government, through Air Selangor, will also improve our service quality by being more responsive and efficient (in dealing with public complaints), including upgrading the current Air Selangor mobile application.”
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar urged households earning RM5,000 or less to register for Sade to enjoy up to 20 cubic metres of free water. Applications can be made at https://www.airselangor.com/residential/skim-air-darul-ehsan.
