Call for water concessionaires to make optimal use of groundwater sources

BAGAN DATUK: Water concession companies in the country have been advised to make optimal use of groundwater sources as new sources of water to overcome water shortage issues in the states involved.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was because the initial capital needed for maintenance of groundwater sources was much lower and would not be too burdensome to the companies.

“This is of course ( because) we do not want to burden the government in the implementation of surface water maintenance, which is relatively expensive.

“As such, groundwater sources as new sources is the answer and solution to solve water shortage issues,” he said at the handover ceremony of the Perak Mineral and Geoscience Department groundwater tube well to Perak Water Board at Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk here yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said Bagan Datuk was the first district in the state chosen to implement the pilot project of groundwater tube well at a cost of RM500,000.

The pilot project on the use of groundwater sources as an alternative source of water was implemented with the aim to reduce the district’s dependency on the existing water supply system.

“Although Malaysia is a tropical country, the surface water sources will not be sufficient if they were not managed well.

“That is why we have to look for a holistic solution to the water shortage issues and efforts that must be taken by the concessionaires. We also hope that the Mineral and Geoscience Department will continue digging for groundwater sources at other locations,” the deputy prime minister added. — Bernama