Experts: Address water woes in view of El Nino event
PETALING JAYA: Water operators in all states have been told to come up with an action plan to mitigate the potential impact of the El Nino phenomenon.
“They must indicate how they will solve any arising problems alongside ways to mitigate it,” said National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago.
“There is also a need to educate people on any potential water crisis as the forecasted El Nino could intensify the water supply situation,” he said.
ALSO READ: Lower rainfall during southwest monsoon, says MetMalaysia
Among measures that warrant consideration, he said, could be having states with a surplus in water supplies to provide water to states experiencing critical shortages.
“This, however, should only be done after conducting thorough studies, to ensure the entire nation has enough water as a whole,” he said.
Santiago said state governments could also form emergency El Nino committees in the event of emergencies, adding that state water operators have to be part of these committees.
ALSO READ: No plans to limit outdoor activities for tertiary students for now
He said SPAN had written to the state water operators on this, adding that he would be visiting them to have a look at their plans.
A national water conservation policy could be considered by the Federal Government in preparation for the coming months, he said .
El Nino and La Nina refer to a weather phenomena dictated by the flow of warm or cool oceanic currents circulating the planet.
In the case of El Nino, it causes sea temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean to rise, bringing hot and dry weather to Malaysia.
ALSO READ: Sweating over a real water plan
SPAN said in statement on Friday that water supply at six dams in Perlis, Kedah and Penang were currently at critical levels.
Water levels at the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis; Sungai Muda Dam, Pedu Dam and Beris Dam in Kedah; Ayer Itam Dam and Telok Bahang Dam in Penang, would be monitored closely due to the risk of drought.
However, SPAN said water levels at main dams in Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and most of the dams in Johor were either at maximum or over 90%.
Other water experts contacted yesterday also suggested the forming of committees at both the federal and state levels to mitigate negative implications from the impending El Nino phenomenon.
They said contingency plans should be sorted out early to minimise water supply disruptions, with consumers and businesses advised to prepare as well.
ALSO READ: Cotton’s not cool in the heat, says doc
Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia president Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said the committee should look into mitigating water supply issues, seeing how El Nino was fast approaching.
“Contingency plans should be readied by authorities. Assets such as water tankers and tanks have to be prepared for mobilisation when the need arises.
“We cannot wait until the last minute to take action,” he said.
Describing the current water supply situation as critical, Saravanan said consumers should be more prudent in water usage.
“This means cutting down on non-essential practices such as car washing, while also using alternate water sources like rainwater for gardening,” he said.
ALSO READ: QuickCheck: Must you drink eight cups of water per day?
Such water saving methods, he said, should become a habit for everybody.
“Be prepared for water rationing as well, as it may happen,” said Saravanan, who is also Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association chief executive officer.
He said car wash operators could consider purchasing treated wastewater instead of using processed water.
Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia president S. Piarapakaran said any government committee formed to oversee water supply issues should focus on mitigation measures.
“The committee can be permanent and report to the National Water Council, chaired by the Prime Minister and state leaders,” he said.
He stressed on the importance for federal and state governments to outline mitigation measures “as it is an important step that can vary at state and district levels”.
“The divide between urban and rural infrastructure also mandates localised solutions,” he said, adding that transparency was vital in coming up with proper mitigation measures.
ALSO READ: Hot weather also affects farmers, rubber smallholders' yields
Piarapakaran also questioned why some dams were running at critical levels at the beginning of the dry season, seeing how La Nina ended months ago.
“The issue of dam water level issues should be viewed in the bigger picture.
“Before a dam or raw water storage facility is built, extensive studies are done to ensure its water replenishing ability, through rainfall, and potential storage capacity to withstand the dry season, especially El Nino.
“If the storage facilities fail to function according to its operating manual, corrective actions must be implemented immediately to prevent raw water storage reaching critical levels,” he said.
