Keperluan sistem penuaian air hujan sebagai syarat kelulusan pelan bangunan pihak berkuasa tempatan Negeri Perak

Abstract

Through amendments to the Uniform Building By-Laws (1984), the Government has mandated the use of Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System as a condition of obtaining building plan approval from the Local Authority. In its simplest sense, the Local Authorities will not approve the building plan if the Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System element is not included in the plan. The Government's prudent move is seen as the best initiative in reducing the total dependence on domestic water supplies provided by water supply companies in each state. It is also in line with the development of green technology and sustainable development which is often emphasized by the Government of Malaysia. As a pro-active act, Perak was the first state to take the initiative to gazette the amendments to the Uniform Building By-Laws (1984) on 2 February 2012 to require Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System to be implemented by all Local Authorities acting as the agency that would oversee its implementation. However, early disclosure revealed that compliance with the implementation of the Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System has not reached a complete level where there are industry players who have given reasons for not implementing the Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System through the request of the Local Authorities exemption. Therefore, this study attempts to address this issue from the point of view itself and also the reasons used by the parties. This study also looks at the efforts made by the Local Authorities to ensure that the implementation of Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System is very well understood and remains relevant over the time. It should be noted that in reality, the water supply is decreasing while the increase in demand for treated water supply is increasing at all times. Therefore, the implementation of Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation System is not an issue that should be avoided and efforts to promote and also to educate the public should be made continuously. In conclusion, the Government needs to see this not only as a mere added value but furthermore with more serious involvement at the state, national and international levels.