Ministry to introduce national water grade system
KANGAR (March 4): The Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) will introduce the National Water Grade System to solve water-related issues in the country, said Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
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He said the system would assist the ministry to look at overall issues arising from the water system, including determining the grade of raw water.
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“Currently, raw water is sold at an average price [between state governments], so we need a water grading system for the future,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony of the Perlis water service industry restructuring agreement at the State Assembly Complex here today.
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Present were the Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri
Azlan Man, KASA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang and state secretary Azman Mohd Yusof.
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Tuan Ibrahim said, for example, clean raw water would be sold at a higher price compared to water in grade two or three of a lower quality.
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“The purpose is to benefit the states which take care of their forest and environment [to sell] clean raw water at a higher price because clean water will reduce the processing cost.
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“We want to create a mechanism whereby the states that protect the environment will generate revenue from the sale of clean water,” he said.
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Tuan Ibrahim added that the National Water Grade System would be responsible to find the best fundraising method to replace pipes of over 45 years old.
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Meanwhile, Zaini said the water grading system would not burden consumers as it only involves the sale of raw water.
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“Clean raw water will reduce the water processing cost borne by the water operator (state water companies), so it will not burden consumers,” he said.