The days of enjoying the cheapest water in the country might be over for Penang households starting next year. The cost is now just 22sen per 1,000 litres for the first 20,000 litres monthly, which amounts to 0.00022sen per litre. This is an extremely low rate compared to other states in the country.
The state government, however, plans to propose new domestic tariffs to the National Water Services Commission next year and may increase the water tariff for Penang households. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow mentioned that an application to the Federal Government will be submitted for this purpose.
Chow noted that the current tariff rates for home users have remained the same since 2015, and new tariffs for commercial users were only introduced last year. He explained that a water management business plan must be submitted to federal authorities every three years.
He also emphasized that the water supply in Penang is heavily subsidized.
Despite being heavily subsidized, data shows that domestic users in Penang are among the heaviest users of treated water in the country, with a per capita usage of 305 litres-per-person-per-day in 2021.
“Penang Water Supply Corporation spends over RM1 to treat every 1,000 litres of water but only sells them at around 30sen per litre,” Chow stated, mentioning that the state government spends over RM100mil per year subsidizing treated water for Penangites.
Regarding the recent water disruptions caused by a ruptured pipe under Prai River, Chow mentioned that consumers in several parts of the southwest district of Penang island still needed water tankers as of yesterday. He expected the state-wide water supply to be back to normal soon, but pointed out that the state must spend RM5mil to replace the ruptured under-river water pipe.
The pipe, which was laid along the bottom of Prai River in 1996, ruptured six days ago, causing over 200,000 water supply accounts to encounter dry or trickling taps as a result.
