Malaysia: Johor to prevent illegal usage of river water in view of El Nino

The Star 2 Jun 14;

NUSAJAYA: Johor will be monitoring its rivers to prevent illegal water usage to ensure that there is enough water during the El Nino phenomenon that is expected to hit the country from now till September.

State Public Works, Rural and Regional Development executive councillor Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the state would take stern action against those engaged in the illegal usage of water from the rivers in Johor such as farmers, animal breeders and factory operators.

In view of that, the Johor Water Regulatory Authority (Bakaj) would also be closely monitoring the 21 rivers and nine dams, which supply raw water to 45 water treatment plants statewide.

“We will not hesitate to seize their equipment or take them to court for illegal use of rivers, which are considered government property,” he said during his speech at the state assembly sitting here yesterday.

Hasni was replying to questions by Ayub Jamil (BN-Rengit), Lau Chin Hoon (BN-Pemanis), Dr Sheikh Ibrahim Salleh (PAS-Sungai Abong), Tan Hong Pin (DAP-Mengkibol) and Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PKR-Bukit Batu) about the state’s preparations to face the El Nino phenomenon and its efforts to ensure there will be enough water for the people’s daily usage during the anticipated dry spell.

Hasni (BN-Benut) said another measure taken by the state was to maintain the water level at dams at a minimum of 80% adding that a scheduled water usage exercise would be activated if the water level dropped to 40%.

Rationing in Johor if water crisis worsens
New Straits Times 2 Jun 2014;

NUSAJAYA: The Johor government may resort to water rationing, similar to the one carried out by the Selangor government, if there is a significant water shortage caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

Responding to questions from Lau Chin Hoon (BN-Pemanis), state Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the rationing exercise would be the last option if the water crisis worsened due to dry spell.

"However, the state government will have to submit an application to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN)," he said at the 13th state assembly session yesterday.

Hasni said that based on the Johor Water Resource study from 2010 to 2060, the demand for water would increase from 2,027 million litres per day by next year and to 2060.

The demand would double to 4,136 million litres per day.

"Given the current volume of water in the rivers and dams in the state, Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) can only supply treated water up to 2020."

Hasni said although the state had many water resources, some were exposed to contamination.

"We are trying to safeguard the water quality from any pollutants," he said, adding that there were nine dams supplying raw water to 45 treatment plants in the state.

He said one of the moves taken was to stop water thefts river and dams through stricter enforcement and monitoring.

"Syarikat Air Johor, district offices and police will be taking action against those who steal raw water in bulk for agricultural or industrial use."

He also cautioned that if the water level at the nine dams drastically dropped from 80 per cent to 40 per cent, the water rationing exercise in the state would take effect immediately.

On the preparation for El Nino, Hasni said the state government, through SAJ, would deploy 25 lorries to deliver water to affected areas and provide 192 static water tanks for residential schemes.