Problems and implication in water supply management system in Kedah.

Abstract

Water supply has become a major issue in Malaysia recently. The crisis is not about the availability of water sources to supply our needs, but it is about the inefficiency in managing a water supply system that has a deleterious impact on the end consumers. This water crisis is a major problem faced by both the government and the people who are not provided with continuous and good quality water supply. In Kedah, the water sector has been privatized since January 2010 to ensure an efficient water supply management system. After five years of being privatized, the present water authorities do not seem to have contributed that much when compared to the previous management. However, Kedah is currently not facing any issues in terms of water resources due to adequate catchment area but this can quickly change especially given the current mismanagement of the state’s water supply. The aim of this study is to evaluate common problems and strategies in order to improve water supply system in Kedah. The study evaluate key problems that affects the efficiency of water supply. This study also develop potential strategies on how to improve the efficiency of the water supply. Data from expert panel interviews and questionnaires survey from various parties were used in this study. The result of this study indicates that insufficient water treatments plants, low pressure and incompetent water management have all contributed to making water management a major issue in Kedah. Therefore water authorities need to give priority on solving these issues in order to make the water supply system more efficient to ensure continual supply of adequate fresh water needed for the state of Kedah.