Water consumption in Johor is expected to increase by 80%

JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said water consumption in the state was expected to increase by 80% over the next 11 years.
Based on the Johor Water Resource Study 2010-2060, he said, it was revealed that the demand for water is set to increase from 1,507 million litres per day in 2010 to 3,257 million litres per day by 2028.
Speaking when officiating the 2017 Water Leaders Forum here, today, he said the state had about RM73.9 million for Johor's water initiatives for this year alone, which reflects the state's commitment in addressing the matter.
He said the issue of providing sufficient water to all should be free from any political ideology as it was an issue concerning the needs of everyone.
He said members from the Johor Water Forum will be appointed as advisors to the Johor Water Resources Council to help them map a water resources plan for the future.
Meanwhile, Johor Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said, University Teknology Malaysia (UTM) will carry out a study on underground water resources in the Tanjung Putri area to explore alternative water resources.
He said the study will take about nine months to a year to complete and will cost about RM1 million.
He said the desalination of sea water was also one of the alternative resources and if it is viable there will be a small scale desalination plant in Forest City.
On river pollution issues, Hasni said action must be taken against some factories that cause pollution along the Johor River as the river is a vital raw water source in the state.
He said the Ladang CEP Simpang Renggam dumpsite also contributes to the deteriorating river condition.