BY: NINA AMIRAH

There is a demand for water due to the increase in domestic, industrial and agricultural consumption, besides rapid urbanisation and economic development, which has caused experts to warn that the water treatment infrastructure may not be able to cope.

Malaysia’s population is set to hit 40 million by 2040, and to meet future demand there must be upgrading and modernising of water treatment plants, reducing non-revenue water, improving distribution systems and water conservation.

Malaysia has one of the highest water consumption per capita in Southeast Asia, averaging 226 litres per person per day in the year 2023 which exceeds the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended usage.

The limit imposed by WHO for the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans is 165 litres and 180 litres respectively, and under the National Water Resource Study (2000-2050) demand in Malaysia will increase by 103 percent in 2050.

Experts contend that among factors contributing to high water consumption is the country’s tropical climate, which leads to year-round high temperatures and humidity, increasing water use for hydration, bathing and cooling.

Other factors include rapid urbanisation, commercial area development, construction activities, a growing service sector, industrial growth, all of which has been fuelling an increased need for more water consumption.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher