SHAH ALAM, 25 June: The Selangor Water Supply Company Sdn Bhd (SYABAS) estimates a loss of about RM80,000 or 34,000 cubic metres of illegal usage of treated water at the Bagan Nakhoda Omar water sluice construction site in Sabak Bernam.
The General Manager of the Department of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Priscilla Alfred, said that monitoring and inspection found that the construction site has an illegal connection from the main SYABAS pipe, using a high density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) measuring 25 millimetres.
She said that further examination on the SYABAS pipe alignment shows that it does not go through any legally registered metres and the water supply taken was channelled directly to the construction workers’ premises for the use of their daily activities.
“Operations to combat theft of treated water from the main SYABAS pipes is one of our on-going efforts to curb water loss without serious results.
“During the operation, SYABAS issued an Offences Notice and Enforcement Action to claim compensation for the loss of water from those found using treated water supply illegally during a raid with the National Water Services Commission (DPAN),” she said in a press statement.
Priscilla said that SYABAS is actively combating this practice with help and information from the public.
She said that SYABAS recorded 1,584 complaints of theft cases and 2.06 million cubic metres of water loss, beginning January 1 to June 16.
She said that individuals or parties found taking water illegally will face action in accordance with provisions under Section 123 (1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655).
“In a raid carried out, SYABAS issued an Offences Notice and Enforcement Action to claim losses from parties found guilty of using treated water supply illegally.
“For the record, individuals and parties found making a connection to a main channel or water service pipes, other than the licence owners, is committing an offences under the provisions of Section 123 (1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655).
She said that if found guilty, the offender may incur a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both, as provided under Section 123 (3) of the same Act.
NS
