GEORGE TOWN: New domestic water rates will be billed in Penang with effect from Feb 1 in compliance with the new Federal Government Regulations, says Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan.
He said that the new Water Services Industry (Rates for Water Supply Services) (Penang) (Amendment) Regulations stipulated the new water rates for Penang to be 62sen per 1,000 litres for those who use 20,000 litres and below a month.
"Those who use 20,000 to 35,000 litres will be charged RM1.17 per 1,000 litres and those exceeding 35,000 litres will be charged RM2.07 per 1,000 litres," said Pathmanathan.
He then said that the minimum charge will be RM6.20 a month and that the new average rate for domestic consumption of up to 35,000 litres per month is RM0.86 per 1,000 litres
"This average domestic tariff is the second lowest in Malaysia," he added in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 7).
He said PBAPP’s 2023 data shows that about 77.3% of Penang’s domestic consumers or 460,350 of 590,290 domestic water consumers were billed for consumption of 35,000 litres or less in 2023.
Pathmanathan then said that there were new rates for other types of consumption as well.
"The new regulations stipulate that new rates for other types of water consumption are to be charged from Feb 1, which include domestic bulk meter water supply services, non-domestic, house of worship and welfare institutions as well as shipping water supply services," said Pathmanathan.
He then said that the domestic bulk meter water supply services is for consumption of water through bulk meters, primarily by property management bodies in charge of high-rise residential buildings, gated communities, estate quarters and government quarters.
"This is a flat rate of RM1.73 per 1,000 litres with a minimum charge of RM17.30 per month," he added.
Patmanathan said rates for non-domestic water supply services are RM1.57 per 1,000 litres from those who use 35,000 litres and below.
"For those who use 35,000 litres and above the charge is RM2.17 per 1,000 litres. The minimum charge per month is RM15.70.
"For houses of worship and welfare institutions, the flat rate is 67sen per 1,000 litres with a minimum charge of RM6.70 per month," he said.
"For shipping the flat rate is RM7.07 per 1,000 litres with a minimum charge RM70.70 per month," he added.
He shared that they would generate an additional RM86mil in revenue in 2024 from the implementation of the new rates.
"This additional revenue will primarily be used to fund water supply infrastructure development projects in Penang, including a new 1,350mm Sungai Prai 'river-crossing' pipeline.
"It will further fund other critical new pipeline and pipeline replacement projects throughout the state and urgent projects outlined in Penang’s Water Contingency Plan 2030 (WCP 2030) to ensure water supply sufficiency until 2030," he said.
