WATER RESOURCES AND SUPPLY IN MALAYSIA..

All water sources are dependent on rainfall. Of the total average annual rainfall of about 320bcm for
Peninsular Malaysia some 47% run off as surface flow and is available for use. The total annual demand is
estimated to reach about 14bcm by 2020 which equates to 12% of the total water availability. However,
water supply management and development in Malaysia is not centralised, but is managed on a state-by-state
basis; and to cater for the differences in supply and demand inter-state water transfer programmes have been
implemented. To meet future requirements the National Water Resources Study (2000-2050), recommended
47 new dams and 3 new inter-state water projects among 62 water resource projects, including distribution
systems
Streams or rivers with or without impounding reservoirs contribute about 99% of the raw water for water
supply in Malaysia with the remaining 1% of raw water coming from groundwater. Raw water is extracted at
the intake points along the riverbanks. Dams are constructed along rivers to create reservoirs and water is
drawn from these for water treatment plants throughout the country. The Department of Environment (DOE)
monitors the river basins to determine the water quality in relation to major pollution sources, while the
Ministry of Health (MOH) is responsible for monitoring the raw water quality in the reservoirs at the intake
points of the treatment plants. State Water Authorities or private companies then supply piped drinking water
from the treatment plants to the population.
In rural areas not connected to a treated water supply drinking water is obtained from rivers, ground and rain
water. Clean water from these sources is supplied via gravity feed systems, sanitary wells with or without
house connections, and by the collection of rainwater. Although limited in comparison to surface waters
groundwater still makes a significant contribution in terms of yield and availability, and will be an important
source in meeting future water demands for the public supply.
By the year 2000, 98% of the urban population in Malaysia were served through reticulated systems from
water treatment plants using all or some of the conventional treatment processes of aeration, coagulation and
flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination. However, the effectiveness of some smaller treatment
plants where only chlorination was used, are now under threat because of development.
By the same year 93.4% of the rural population also had access to safe drinking water, and in areas where the supply was not through treated piped water systems nearly a quarter were supplied with safe water by the MOH under their Rural Environmental Sanitation Programme where systems have been funded in part by
community participation, although in recent years this has been less successful. In areas nearer to towns the
MOH also funds the connection of homes to treated water supplies.
In rural areas potential water sources are identified from areas that have traditionally been known for good
water quality. After identification of such a source the water quality is tested against current standards, and if
found to be suitable is allowed to be used as a drinking water source by the community, however users are
still advised to boil the water before consumption.