Table shows the current water tariffs in Sarawak, according to categories.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is now studying the possibility of having standardised water tariff.
According to the Ministry of Utilities, the government is also studying on the need to impose surcharges upon those that register water usage that exceeds the normal usage.
It regards these as a few options being studied by the Sarawak government to ensure the sustainability of water supply service in Sarawak.
“The state government is now in the midst of improving the whole water supply service in Sarawak. A sum of RM2.8 billion in additional budget has been allocated by the Sarawak government to repair and upgrade the water supply in areas that are now having problems,” said the ministry in a statement.
Nonetheless, it assured Sarawakians that for the time being, the Sarawak government has no plan to increase the current water tariff – the present tariff would still be used.
According to the ministry, the water tariffs in Sarawak currently differ according to Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV-V.
Part II is for Sri Aman, Miri, Limbang, Sarikei and Kapit, Part III is for Bintulu, while Part IV and V are for consumers under the jurisdictions of Kuching Water Board (KWB) and Sibu Water Board (SWB).
Part I is for areas not covered by the other four parts.
The Ministry of Utilities also said the latest water tariff hike took place 1995 involving Bintulu.
KWB and SWB last increased their tariffs in 1992, while the last tariff revision for other smaller towns was made in 1984.
“Domestic users in the rural areas are actually enjoying subsidised water supply from the Sarawak government, in that the average cost of production of one cubic metre of water is RM1.40, but the average water tariff to be paid by the user is RM0.62,” said the ministry.