Air Selangor will raise the new water supply tariff at an average rate of 20 cents per cubic meter involving non-domestic user categories, houses of worship, and ships effective August 1.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Public Facilities, Modernization of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry in the state, Izham Hashim said the average increase was still considered low and did not involve domestic consumers.
“For non-domestic use including commercial and industrial which is 0 to 35 cubic meters, the increase is from RM2.07 to RM2.62. If it exceeds 35 cubic meters, it will be RM2.86 instead of RM2.28.
For houses of worship, the calculation uses a flat rate (per cubic meter) of 46 cents, rising to 58 cents for each cubic meter. Similarly, the shipping category with each cubic meter of RM4.23 is now adjusted to RM7,” he said at a press conference at the Annex Building, Selangor State Assembly today.
Izham hopes that the new water supply tariff adjustment can help Air Selangor, especially in terms of high capital expenditure in ensuring the continuity and survival of the water management company’s operations.
The electricity bill for a year alone involves RM300 million. Chemicals for water treatment are around RM80 to RM100 million per year. So the (operating) cost is so high but our tariff rate is one of the lowest in the region,” he said.
“The adjustment of the water supply tariff also helps Air Selangor in the state government’s plans to build a new water treatment plant and replace water pipes and worn-out equipment,” he said.
Izham said this to comment on the government’s decision to agree to maintain the water supply tariff for the domestic category (residential premises) in the Peninsula and Labuan following the increase in the cost of living that the people are currently facing.
The Council of Ministers meeting on June 22, which agreed to the matter, also agreed to the implementation of the adjustment of water supply tariffs for non-domestic categories and special categories in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan with effect from August 1, involving an average increase of 25 cents per cubic meter.
