IWK is now pioneering the supply of reclaimed water through renewable processes with the cooperation of the Environment and Water Ministry, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and water operators.
ACCORDING to statistics last year, Malaysia recorded a population of about 32.7 million people. The increase in population each year will certainly raise demand for various essential needs, especially clean water and food resources.
As such, our Government has stated its commitment under the Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030 to reuse 33% of treated effluent water to the benefit of Malaysians.
In this regard, the related initiative has been included in the Environment and Water Ministry’s direction towards Environmental Sustainability in Malaysia (2020-2030), which aims to produce 1,500 million litres per day of reclaimed water from treated effluent.
The direction adopted by the ministry is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As a company owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated), Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd has embarked on a water reclamation initiative whereby wastewater treated by IWK’s sewage treatment plant will undergo further treatment to be reused for non-potable purposes.
IWK uses treated effluent to clean the sewage treatment plant’s equipment and surrounding areas.
This initiative will definitely open up opportunities for water operators to obtain alternative water sources for non-potable purposes which in turn can contribute towards maintaining the country's clean water resources and reducing pressure on water sources, thus increasing circular economy practices.
According to IWK chief executive officer Narendran Maniam, as early as 2015 IWK has taken steps to start small-scale projects with local authorities to use treated effluent for landscape crop watering.
There are several IWK plants that use treated effluent to clean the sewage treatment plant’s equipment and the surrounding area.
“With the cooperation of the Environment and Water Ministry, National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and water operators, IWK is now pioneering the supply of reclaimed water through renewable processes, suitable for use in manufacturing operations for non-food based industries.
“The treated effluent produced from wastewater treatment will go through a modern technological process at the water reclamation plant which is specially built near IWK’s sewage treatment plant.
‘Reclaimed water that has been processed will be channelled through special pipes directly to the factories in need, ” said Narendran.
He added that this water reclamation project can assist the federal and state governments to ease the demand for clean drinking water sources and presents itself as the most viable alternative for manufacturers or industries.
“This country is still very dependent on water catchment. There is vulnerability in our water supply as it depends on weather conditions and changes, ” said Narendran.
“To ensure a more sustainable water supply, it is crucial for us to diversify the country's water supply portfolio by combining safe water resources and reducing dependence on water supply that depends solely on rainwater.”
Citing an article in a scientific journal by leading water expert Prof Menachem Elimelech from Yale University, Narendran said the only sustainable way to increase water supply beyond what is already available from the hydrological cycle is desalination and reuse.
Recognising this fact, IWK will develop the water reclamation plant (WRP) project through the concept of cooperation with water operators in all states that will supply systems and technology for the development of the plant.
According to Narendran, IWK is in the midst of discussion with one water operator on the first phase to supply 7.5 million litres per day, while the next phase aims to supply an accumulated 247 million litres of per day that will involve an investment of RM600mil.
“IWK is confident that the WRP project will not only preserve the environment through sustainable water resource management, but further decrease dependency on the nation’s clean water supply that can be used for drinking purposes.
“At the same time, the WRP project can encourage technology transfer, development of high-tech workforce expertise as well as availability of new job opportunities, ” said Narendran.
For more information, visit https://www.iwk.com.my/.
