By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 27: Utility and Telecommunications (MUT) Sarawak Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi has told the august House today that his ministry, through the relevant water agency, will implement a surcharge for domestic water consumption exceeding 35,000 litres per household per month.
The surcharge, however, will not apply if the household uses 35,000 litres or less of water per month, according to Julaihi.
“The current total water demand in Sarawak is 2,000 million litres per day (JLH), and the projected water demand in 2030 is estimated at 2,400 million litres per day,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech during the Second Meeting for the Second Term of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) at the DUN complex today.
Julaihi, who is also Sebuyau assemblyman, went on to say that according to the United Nations, the amount of water consumption per person is suggested to be 165 litres per day, equivalent to 19,800 litres per household per month.
He also stated that in Sarawak, domestic water consumption averages 224 litres per day, which equates to 26,880 litres per household per month.
“As we all know, the phenomenon of climate change that is happening now can affect the reliability of water resources.
“Therefore, all parties, including those of us in this noble House, are urged to use water wisely and not waste it. This is to ensure ‘water forever whatever the weather’,” he added. — DayakDaily
