The Ingenieur Vol 59 July-Sept 2014 The Ingenieur Vo. 59, July-Sept 2014 | Page 73

ENGINEERING SERVICES

NON REVENUE WATER
MANAGEMENT – SUCCESS
AND CHALLENGES
By Ir. Zainuddin Md Ghazali, Khairul Effendy
Ranhill Water Services Sdn Bhd

O

ver the past 200 years, Malaysia has
harnessed its abundant water resource for
agriculture, industries and homes, where
consumers have the convenience of running
water at the turn of a tap. Wells have since been
relegated to the annals of history and stand pipes
where villagers washed, bathed and collected water
for cooking and drinking are a rarity. Water delivery
tankers, once not an uncommon sight, are now
only contingency measures to tide over prolonged
periods of drought or water supply shutdown.

Water resources in Malaysia are abundant
and available throughout the year. 76% of water
is used for agriculture, 11% for municipal water
supply and 12% for industries. That only leaves 1%
for drinking water supply.
Since Malaysia’s independence in 1957,
water supply has figured prominently in Malaysian
Development Plans, focusing initially on urban
areas. Beginning with the 3rd Malaysia Plan
(1976-1980), rural water supply also received a
much needed boost. Nearly 100% of Malaysian
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