By DD Team
KUCHING, Dec 12: Implementing smart meters in every household will be part of State Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB)’s next action plan to provide over some 240,000 consumers in Sarawak with real time data as part of water demand management strategy, revealed JBALB director Chang Kuet Shian.
The implementation of smart meters would be part of JBALB’s digitalisation programme which will take off under the 12th Malaysia plan (2021-2025).
“The smart meters will provide consumers with (24hrs) real time data. The cost of each smart meters varies, but it’s crucial to monitor your consumption. Through this exercise we hope to have a win-win situation whereby the consumers would become ‘smart consumers’ too,” Chang told DayakDaily through its ‘Spot On’ programme yesterday.
He reiterated that the smart meters could be also implemented with the smart partnership with telecommunication companies to reduce cost.
“It would be just right to implement as our population is small enough with about 240,000-260,000 consumers,” he said.
Chang added that digitalisation was crucial for the department to ensure that it could monitor water supply from its source right up to its consumers.
“With digitalisation, we will know when our water 500 water tanks are empty without having the consumers complaining to us. This way, we have more efficient water management system in place,” he said.
Chan stressed that apart from digitalisation, JBALB would set up its asset management and enforcement units; besides having already established its corporate communication unit two years ago.
“We have a large assets which we have to protect, such as from vandalism. At the same time, we will continue to engage with the people so that they will respect the value of water,” he said.
On related issue, Chang revealed that his department has tendered RM3.8 billion to implement the various ‘projek rakyat’ especially to water stressed areas since the department was established four year ago.
On the successful implementation of projects, Chang commended the team works synergy between contractors, consultants and staff of JBALB as well as the Land and Survey Department which has been very helpful in assisting JBALB with land acquisition. — DayakDaily
