He said this means there will be no increase, as the rate was already adjusted in February 2024, and the minimum charge of RM6.50 for domestic users will also remain unchanged.
He said the water tariff adjustment was made based on rates set by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), following the Cabinet’s approval of a new tariff structure for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, adding that the revision is in response to applications submitted by various states to strengthen water services for the public and industry.
“The state government hold the view that this tariff adjustment is necessary, as efforts to increase water reserves to 20 per cent by 2030 are crucial.
“This adjustment will enable Air Selangor to strengthen efforts to replace over 1,600 kilometres of asbestos pipes, some more than 40 years old, across Selangor, at a rate of 300 kilometres per year starting this year,” he said in a statement today.
Elaborating, Amirudin said the new rate for households consuming between 20 and 35 cubic metres of water per month will increase by RM0.30 per cubic metre to RM1.62, covering usage up to 35 cubic metres monthly.
He said that for households consuming more than 35 cubic metres per month, equivalent to 35,000 litres, the new rate will increase by RM0.88 per cubic metre, bringing the charge to RM3.51 for each cubic metre exceeding the 35m³ threshold.
Amirudin said the adjustment is aimed at encouraging more efficient and prudent water usage.
For condominiums, estate and government quarters, the new charge will increase by RM0.41 per cubic metre to RM2.09 for each cubic metre of water used.
Amirudin said the minimum bulk charge for condominiums will remain at the previous rate of RM173 per month, while the new minimum monthly charge for estate and government quarters will increase to RM20.90.
To reduce the impact of living costs on residents of low-cost housing, Amirudin said the new rate would see the smallest increase among all domestic subcategories, namely by RM0.10 per cubic metre to RM1.18 per cubic metre.
He said the state government is also committed to striking a balance in adjusting water charges for commercial enterprises so as not to overly burden businesses and cause a sharp rise in operating costs.
To that end, he said commercial spaces and non-domestic buildings will be charged the same rate as domestic households using more than 35 per cubic metre, which is RM3.51 per cubic metre, an increase of RM0.57 per cubic metre.
Usage exceeding 35 cubic metres will be charged at RM3.83 per cubic metre for the excess volume.
Amirudin said registered and legitimate places of worship and welfare institutions will continue to enjoy the lowest water rates, with only a RM0.10 increase – from RM0.66 to RM0.76 per cubic metre.
For the shipping industry, he said the new charge will increase by RM0.93 per cubic metre to RM8.01 per cubic metre, considering the rising water usage in the sector.
As for data centres, the state government has accepted the Cabinet’s decision to impose a rate of RM5.31 per cubic metre.
To allow sufficient preparation time for all users, the State Executive Council Meeting has agreed that the new rates will come into effect on Sept 1.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said Air Selangor is currently building new water treatment plants in Rasau and Labohan Dagang 2, costing RM7.671 billion and RM479.52 million respectively. These efforts will increase treated water capacity by 2,730 million litres per day.
He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to continue providing free water to over 1.3 million Selangor residents under 337,851 Skim Air Darul Ehsan (SADE) accounts, with a benefit value of RM13 per month.
The state government will also raise the household income eligibility for SADE recipients from RM5,000 to RM6,000 per month to assist more families.
“In addition, the state government will absorb the increase in water supply charges for places of worship and welfare institutions, at an estimated cost of RM100,000 annually.
“Our efforts to improve water services without burdening the people in need will see the state government absorbing costs of up to RM52.7 million,” he added.– BERNAMA
