[Exclusive] Water companies lost RM2bil in 2021 [NSTTV]
KUALA LUMPUR: A TOTAL of 1,727 million litres of water per day (MLD) literally went down the drain every day in 2021, mainly due to illegal water consumption or commercial losses, costing water supply companies about RM2.05 billion in losses.
The amount is equivalent to the water consumption of Penang in two days.
The trend for commercial losses has increased steadily, from just 1,444 MLD in 2019 to 1,551 MLD in 2020.
The figures for 2022 have yet to be calculated.
National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman, in an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times, said commercial losses included improper meter installation, data handling errors, illegal connections and theft, and they make up between 25 and 30 per cent of the nation's non-revenue water (NRW).
Physical loss due to leaky pipes or other damage and authorised unbilled water usage, such as by firefighters to put out fires and by water operators to clean plants, were additional sources of NRW.
"Commercial loss is one of the components of NRW.
"It is water that has been supplied to or used by users, but does not bring revenue to the water operator.
"Based on our NRW record in 2021, our commercial loss is 1,727 MLD. Water theft is one of the components of commercial losses, apart from under-registration of consumer meters, data handling errors, and illegal connections," he said.
Faizal said improper meter installation included meters having exceeded their shelf life, interference by users, foreign matter (water quality) or damage.
Data handling errors might occur due to mistakes during meter readings, keying in data in the billing system and others caused by human negligence during the data billing process.
He said measures to overcome commercial losses included implementing active enforcement operations on water theft with the cooperation of water operators, user awareness campaigns and water meter replacements.
"The commitment of water operators is also required in ensuring that old and damaged user meters are replaced periodically, as well as conducting audits of billing records to minimise errors in recording bills."
A total of 1,727 million litres of water per day (MLD) literally went down the drain every day in 2021, mainly due to illegal water consumption or commercial losses, costing water supply companies about RM2.05 billion in losses. NSTP/AZRUL EDHAM
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By Aliza ShahALIZA SHAH - February 12, 2023 @ 7:45am
