KOTA KINABALU: The new water tariff structure to be introduced starting next year will not burden the consumer if they use water prudently and not be wasteful.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the new rate to be imposed with effect from January 1 would still be lower compared to that in other states.
Pairin, who is also Infrastructure Development Minister, said the new tariff structure highlights the need for everyone to utilize the precious resource responsibly.
“Water is a precious resource, we must use it sparingly and and not be wasteful. If we can all participate in this structure, it indirectly means that we are supporting efforts to conserve water, as the very structure promotes water conservation,” he said to reporters when met at the State Assembly lobby yesterday.
Pairin on Wednesday announced during his winding up speech that consumers will be charged based on categories and the current flat rate of 90 cents, which has remained unchanged since 1982 will no longer be used.
He said the restructuring was part of the government’s effort to meet the growing cost of water management while encouraging water conservation.
“Comparatively, you can see that the new rate is even lower than the current rate. For example, in the Domestic 1, if they use 10 cubic metres (m3) or less, they will only pay RM0.30 per m3, compared to RM0.90 currently.
“If the usage is 10 to 20 m3, the charge is RM0.60 per m3, which is still lower than the current rate. However, for usage of 21 m3 to 35 m3, the rate will be RM1.10 per m3, a bit more expensive.
“But this shows that if we conserve and use less water, we don’t need to pay more. This will encourage people to conserve water,” he said.
Compared to other states, Pairin said the new rate for domestic usage in Sabah will still be cheaper.
Giving an example, he said domestic consumers in Johor are charged RM1.65 per m3 for usage between 21 to 35 m3, which is much higher than in Sabah.
Pairin said 85 per cent of some 355,000 consumers in the State are in Domestic 1 category and could save up to 13 per cent for their monthly water bill, if they can keep their consumption to between 10 and 20 m3.
However, for Domestic 2 category, which covers individual consumers at apartments and condominiums with bulk meter, the charge to be imposed will be RM1.30.
Pairin said the higher rate for the category take into account that such housing uses more water for additional facilities such as swimming pool and so on.
“From this category upward, there is going to be changes, because the RM0.90 flat rate we have been using is over 30 years old. We want to change it and follow what the other states have done.
“We are restructuring the tariff because we don’t want to remain without a system, using only one flat rate for all consumers, both domestic and industry, which is unfair,” he said, adding that the new structure takes into account the average income and affordability of the individual domestic consumers.
He said the new tariff would provide the State with additional RM45 million in water revenue collection, and it will be used to enhance the treated water supply system across the State.
Under the new water tariff structure, rates would be divided into 11 main categories, namely, Domestic 1 (individual domestic), Domestic 2 (apartment, condominiums with facilities/bulk metre) and Domestic 3 (flats without facility/bulk metre).
The other categories were commercial (services, businesses and offices), industry (factory and others) government, houses of worship, welfare, water depot, shipping and emergency.
Domestic 1, RM0.30 per cubic metre will be charged for the first block not exceeding 10 cubic metres, 60 sen for each cubic metre for the second the second block of 11-20 cubic metres, RM1.10 for each cubic metre for the third block of 21-35 cubic metres and RM1.30 per cubic metre for the fourth block of 36-60 cubic metres while those using more then 60 cubic metres would be charged RM1.80 per cubic metre.
Those under Domestic 2 will pay a flat rate of RM1.30 per cubic metre while those under Domestic 3 comprising of middle and low cost housing and flats would pay 90 sen per cubic metre.
Commercial and industrial consumers would have to pay RM1.60 per cubic metre for 70 cubic metres and RM12 for more then 70 cubic metres for monthly usage while for state and federal government premises will pay RM1.20 per cubic metre while houses worship would pay 50 sen per cubic metre.
“For house of worship, water are currently supplied for free, but they waste a lot of water, so now we will charge 50 sen per m3. We want people to think first before they waste water at these places.
“Sometimes, people couldn’t care less when there is a leakage, because water is free. So, now we must put responsibility on everyone. In other places, water problem is a norm, so let us not create a habit of uncaring attitude before we too face the same problem,” he said.
He also noted that none revenue water (NRW) caused by theft and leakages accounted for 53 per cent of the water supplied in Sabah.