SHAH ALAM, April 21 — State water management company Pengurusan Air Selangor (Air Selangor) is aiming to achieve the same water quality levels as seen in developed countries for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya by 2028.
Its chief executive officer Suhaimi Kamaralzaman said this can be realised if continuous investments are made for the construction of plants and replace obsolete water pipes.
"Although the quality of water supplied to users in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are good, we want to achieve the same level of quality as in Japan and Europe.
"It is not an easy process but with continuous investments, it can be successfully achieved by 2028," he said during the webinar 'Air Bersih: Berbaloikah Pelarasan Tarif?' earlier today.
Suhaimi added the adjustment of the water tariff is also reasonable as the process replaces obsolete assets or pipes and goes to the construction of plants, which involves high costs yet must not burden users.
He said aid must continually be channelled to low-income groups such as providing subsidies via the Air Darul Ehsan Scheme as implemented by the state government.
"I hope the scheme can be expanded to the Federal level if an increase in tariffs is carried out," Suhaimi said.
Currently, users in Selangor pay RM1.50 per cubic metre of water in contrast to the actual cost of RM3 per cubic metre which is borne by Air Selangor.