A ductile cement pipe being lowered into the ground to signify the launch of the Old Water Pipes Replacement Programme in Taman Melawati, Hulu Kelang.
SELANGOR, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya can expect fewer water disruption problems by 2019 with the implementation of the Old Water Pipes Replacement Programme.
The programme, launched by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in Taman Melawati, Hulu Kelang, will be carried out in stages, beginning in 12 out of 84 hotspot areas identified as facing frequent water disruptions.
The areas include Taman Melawati, Gombak, Gombak Setia, Taman Sri Gombak, Brickfields, Kampung Cheras Baru, Bandar Tun Razak, Jalan Meru, Persiaran Kayangan, Kampung Tasik Permai, Bandar Rinching Sections 2 and 5, as well as Country Heights.
The programme is an initiative by state-owned company Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor), and the first phase is expected to be completed by December 2017.
The 59.5km-long stretch of new pipes covering the 12 areas will cost RM50mil and is expected to reduce water loss, also known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW), said Azmin.
“Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya still have almost 6,000km of asbestos cement pipes that were installed around 30 to 40 years ago,” said Azmin.
“This programme is an important step in reducing NRW, an issue that must be addressed in a holistic way.
“Our main priority is to ensure water management services are efficient and cost-effective.
“But water loss not only happens because of burst pipes and leakages, it is also caused by water stolen by industries and domestic households.”
Azmin urged local councils to take an active role in preventing water theft with more stringent enforcement against individuals and companies.
The holistic approach to water management also involved two proposed water treatment plants in Labohan Dagang and Semenyih 2 at a cost of RM800mil.
The plants will be built to meet demand for a steady supply of water and to make up for the delay in building the Langat 2 plant that was originally scheduled for completion by 2011, said Azmin.
He said the state government also wanted to promote water conservation through a green campaign.
“Industries are taking advantage of low water tariffs by using treated instead of recycled water.
“The campaign will also educate household users not to waste treated water for activities such as washing cars and gardening,” he said.
Among the types of pipes that will be used under the programme are ductile iron pipes, high-density polyethylene (HDP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, depending on the area.
The locations of the upgrade was decided after research on areas most affected by burst water pipes, said Air Selangor Asset Management head Sanusi Sulieman.
“The old pipes are now no longer able to withstand high water pressure and this has resulted in more incidents of burst pipes,” said Sanusi.
“Most of the pipes were installed by the roadside about 30 years ago.
“With rapid economic development in Selangor, the roads have been widened but the pipes were not designed for heavy traffic, which is another reason for the frequency of burst pipes.”
He gave Taman Melawati as an example as the area had 43 water-related cases between January 2014 and June 2016, with almost two every month.
