Malaysia is a blessed country. We received an abundance of rainfall per year and we rich with water resources. 97% of water resources in Malaysia are surface water meanwhile another 3% is groundwater.
Fortunately, for the past few months the water level in several dams crucial in Selangor has showed some significant increase such as in Sungai Selangor and Tasik Subang. The water capacity is surely enough for the next few years.
However, Malaysians still should conserve the water. In 2013, the average water consumption per day of Malaysians was 210 liters. However in 2014, the average consumption has rose up by 2 liters which meant 212 liters or about 141 bottles of 1.5 liters per person daily.
Only 30% of the water usage is used for actual consumption such as cooking and drinking, while the rest of it is just for utilities like washing cars, washing pools and washing clothes. The consumption is still far beyond the water usage recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which is 165 liters per day.
According to Malaysia Water Industry Guide 2014, Pulau Pinang recorded the highest consumption of water per day in 2013 at 296 liters. Meanwhile state with the lowest consumption of water per day is Sabah (109 liters).
As it is, Malaysians already use far more water than their neighbors. A 2011 survey found that, among Southeast Asian consumers, the average Thai use only 90 liters a day, while Singaporeans consume at 154 liters and aiming to lower their daily usage to 100 liters.
Malaysia may undergo water shortage crisis again if Malaysian people keep on wasting the water. There are several ways to conserve the water. Firstly, have plants that require less water and use rain water to water the plants as well as to wash your vehicles.
Then, we also can save water by using a shut-off nozzle on your hose and use a low flow shower head. Take shorter showers (recommended 8 minutes or less) and turn off the tap while brushing teeth, soaping and scrubbing dishes. Last but not least is regularly checked for any leaking in the toilets and faucets.
71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water however only 1% of the water on Earth is fresh water and available to consume. Climate change may affect the availability of water to be consumed. It may exacerbate the water scarcity situation in all countries.
Therefore, water conservation is an urgent need. In the past, the water shortage crisis in many parts of the country occurred due to the inefficient management of the authorities as well as Malaysians’ habit of wasting the water.
In conclusion, Malaysians should continue on saving the water and together reduce the water consumption to 165 liters daily as recommended by WHO.
Nur Imani Abdullah
FOMCA