The current dry spell has caused few dams to dry up to risky levels. Chaos is the last thing we need during dry spells. While climate change will continue to alter rain patterns, we should buckle up.

A few years ago, we advised the water operators to run their emergency response plans. This is to ensure consumers respond well and help water operators to coordinate the actual emergency situation. To date, we still have the last minute mentality. If we were to fight water scarcity, what should be our next step?

(i) Protect all water catchment areas and potential future water catchment areas. If we plan to discharge toxic materials into a river, we cannot reverse this if there is an emergency. Future planning of water resources is vital. Economically planning land-use becomes important and this falls under the state government through the local councils.

(ii) Emergency drills should be carried out in stages involving all consumers. This will help to streamline information dissemination, communication barriers and consumers’ preparedness.

During a crisis, sudden practices will be a shock and create uneasiness. Based on our field studies, the people in Malacca will suffer trauma when their taps start drying up. This is due to the terrible drought faced by them few years ago. This must be prevented.

(iii) Cross-channeling of treated water in between piping networks must be developed. Stand alone piping networks are not a viable solution. This also falls back onto the planning of a treatment plant.

Water treatment plants should not run at full capacity; there should be reserves to accommodate fluctuations during a water crisis.

(iv) Non-Revenue Water (NRW) on average for 2008 was close to 37%. In addition to that, non- domestic treated water consumption increased by 6% from 2007 to 2008. While domestic use of treated water is high, stress from industrial water use must be catered for as well.

Reduction of NRW should be placed as the main key performance index for water operators and the regulator.

(v) Reduction of treated water wastage is another important component. Water-saving gadgets such as low flow tabs as well as dual flush systems are some solutions. In addition to that, reuse of grey water (water previously used for washing vegetables or clothes) can reduce dependency on treated water for flushing and other basic cleaning processes.

(vi) Industries must play a vital role in reducing water consumption by adopting green technologies to reuse and recycle water. This will assist the industry to reduce its water bill as well as increase its environmental performance.

Industries that move towards this must be encouraged via green technology funding established by Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

(vii) Utilization of hydroelectric dams as a source of raw water for irrigation and water treatment must be considered. In fact, the lower level of water in a dam is not suitable for treatment.

Flooding of dams causes the water quality in such areas to deteriorate due to a high nutrient content. Aeration (mixing of air bubbles) has been a successful method to improve raw water quality. This process also allows water treatment costs to be kept low.

Wecam sees the water crisis now as failure to plan. Incidents such as this can be prevented or kept under control if the measures mentioned above are put in place. Malaysia is moving towards a developed nation status so it is vital for us to keep our water services at the best level to ensure that life goes on.

The writer is secretary-general, Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (Wecam).