Experts in the field of water management are urging the government to act now and look into several issues urgently to avoid the El Nino phenomenon which will cause dry weather and drought from causing taps to run dry.

Malaysian Water & Energy Research Association stated that at present dam water levels and raw water availability must be monitored as virgin forest cover has decreased greatly which will impact raw water capability.

The organisation suggests that the government use data related to previous El Nino phenomena for comparisons to predict the likelihood of the expected prolonged hot weather or heatwave and its effects.

The National Water Service Commission in Peninsular Malaysia and the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak must also provide suitable mechanisms to monitor and manage the treated water supply situation.

But it is really the lack of forest cover and the dry weather that causes evaporation loss and therefore more water would have to be released from dams leaving less raw water for water treatment plants.

Under Section 54 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006, water rationing, supply interruption and water pressure control can be implemented and if the situation worsens tighter and targeted water supply controls and shutdowns will follow.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE