Water service operators under the regulatory oversight of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) may have their licenses revoked if they fail to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) in providing water supply services as stipulated. This provision is outlined in the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), according to Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Public Utilisation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
According to Bernama, he emphasised that the revenue of the involved operators is expected to increase following the adjustment of water tariffs effective February 1.
The generated income should be utilised to enhance service quality and address primary water supply issues in their respective states. Compliance with SPAN’s set KPIs includes ensuring the development and improvement of crucial infrastructure, such as replacing aging pipes or constructing new water treatment plants.
“This is crucial because we do not want operators to use the revenue for other purposes unrelated to improving water services, such as unauthorized upgrades,” he said.
Akmal Nasrullah also mentioned that several states have proposed plans to enhance services and infrastructure, aiming to provide higher-quality water supply in their respective areas. “Over the next two or three years, our focus is to prove that with the tariff adjustment, there is an improvement in the services provided,” he added.
Following this adjustment, he assured that both his ministry and SPAN would thoroughly examine and oversee various aspects to ensure the continuous development of water supply services. They will also address the challenges faced by operators.
“We emphasise once again that each state needs a specific plan to solve issues, such as addressing pollution, response time, disruptions, complaints, and overcoming water supply interruptions,” he concluded. – Bernama
