ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN
MANAGING THE SECURITY AND
SUSTAINABILITY OF MALAYSIA’S
WATER RESOURCES
By :
Dato’ Ir. Lim Chow Hock
Director,
River Basin and Coastal Zone Management Division,
DID Malaysia
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2013
23rd October 2013
Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur
OUTLINE PRESENTATION 2
Introduction
Water Issues and Challenges
Strategic Approach
Way Forward
Conclusion
3
Introduction
MALAYSIA WATER VISION 4
“In support of Vision 2020 (towards achieving developed nation
status), Malaysia will conserve and manage its water resources to
ensure adequate and safe water for all (including the
environment)”
Source : MyWP
5
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE VISION
Water for people : all have access to safe, adequate and affordable water supply, hygiene and sanitation.
Water for food and rural development : provision of sufficient water that will ensure national food security and promote rural development.
Water for economic development : provision of sufficient water to spur and sustain economic growth (industry)
Water for the environment : protection of the water environment to preserve water resources (both surface water and groundwater) and natural flow regimes, bio-diversity and the cultural heritage, along with mitigation of water-related hazards.
RAINFALL
2,940 mm/
973 bilion m3
SURFACE RUNOFF
1,499 mm/ 496 bilion m3
(51%)
GROUND WATER RECHARGE
191 mm/ 63 bilion m3
(6.5%)
EVAPORATION
1,250 mm/ 414 bilion m3
(42.5%)
WATER AVAILABILITY IN MALAYSIA {Based on The Review of The National Water Resources Study 2000-
2050} (2010)
7
AVAILABLE RAINFALL IN MALAYSIA
State
Area Unit in mm per year Unit in Billion Cu M per year
(sq km) Rainfall Actual
Evaporation
Groundwater
Recharge
Surface
Runoff Rainfall
Actual
Evaporation
Groundwater
Recharge
Surface
Runoff
Perlis 821 1,880 1,290 120 470 1.54 1.06 0.10 0.38
Kedah 9,500 2,310 1,430 130 750 21.95 13.59 1.24 7.12
P Pinang 1,048 2,350 1,430 120 800 2.46 1.50 0.13 0.83
Perak 21,035 2,480 1,320 170 990 52.17 27.77 3.58 20.82
Selangor 8,396 2,190 1,280 150 760 18.39 10.75 1.26 6.38
Negeri
Sembilan 6,686 1,830 1,210 130 490 12.24 8.09 0.87 3.28
Melaka 1,664 1,880 1,210 100 570 3.13 2.01 0.17 0.95
Johor 19,210 2,470 1,130 200 1,140 47.45 21.71 3.84 21.90
Pahang 36,137 2,470 1,250 120 1,100 89.26 45.17 4.34 39.75
Terengganu 13,035 3,310 1,470 150 1,690 43.15 19.16 1.96 22.03
Kelantan 15,099 2,600 1,290 140 1,170 39.26 19.48 2.11 17.67
Pen Malaysia 132,631 2,495.5 1283.8 147.6 1064.0 330.98 170.28 19.56 141.11
Sabah 73,631 2,560 1,190 190 1,180 188.50 87.62 13.99 86.89
Sarawak 124,450 3,640 1,250 240 2,150 453.00 155.56 29.87 267.57
FT Labuan 91 3,100 1,480 150 1,470 0.28 0.13 0.01 0.14
East Malaysia 198,172 3,238.5 1,227.8 221.4 1,789.3 641.78 243.31 43.87 354.60
Malaysia 330,803 2,940 1,250.3 191.8 1,498.5 972.78 413.60 63.45 495.71
TOTAL CONSUMPTIVE WATER DEMAND
8
States Land Area
sq km
Total Consumptive Water demand (MCM )
2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Perlis 821 306 299 286 284 281
Kedah 9,500 2,922 2,976 2,842 2,873 2,876
Pulau Pinang 1,048 765 829 835 874 894
Kelantan 15,099 1,632 1,619 1,586 1,600 1,604
Terengganu 13,035 884 975 970 999 1,026
Perak 21,035 1,949 1,923 1,798 1,801 1,811
Selangor 8,396 2,238 2,491 2,570 2,760 2,922
Pahang 36,137 726 946 897 911 959
Negeri Sembilan 6,686 340 361 358 366 374
Melaka 1,664 323 366 376 409 439
Johor 19,210 715 881 1,033 1,164 1,301
Pen Malaysia 132,631 12,800 13,664 13,551 14,040 14,488
Sabah 73,631 912 1,356 1,392 1,442 1,469
Sarawak 124,450 1,054 2,162 2,125 2,175 2,247
WP Labuan 91 18 24 26 28 29
East Malaysia 198,172 1,985 3,541 3,542 3,645 3,745
Total Malaysia 330,803 14,785 17,205 17,093 17,685 18,233
Domestic and
Industry33 %
Irrigation51 %
Fishery8 %
Livestock1 %
Others 7%
9
WATER DEMAND BY VARIOUS SECTORS
Domestic and
Industry44 %
Irrigation 34%
Fishery13.8 %
Livestock2.7 %
Others 5.5 %
Demand 2010 Demand Projection 2050
ANNUAL RAINFALL
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Peninsular Sarawak Sabah
Water is generally
abundant
Excess during wet
season but still shortage
during dry season
Management Problem?
10
Average Annual Rainfall (mm)
2496
3640
2560
Average Annual Rainfall for Malaysia: 2,940 mm
11
Water Issues
and Challenges
Water excesses
Water shortages
Water pollution
Threats from climate change
Current state of water governance
WATER ISSUES AND
CHALLENGES 12
13
WATER EXCESSES
• NWRS 2010 reported on average about 60% of the annual rain falls within the months of November and January
• Riverine areas and low-lying areas still subjected to
periodic flooding
• About 9% of the country area is flood prone, requiring investment on structural and non structural flood-mitigation programme. Expenditure has risen over the last Five Malaysian Development Plan.
• There has been changes to the timing and duration of monsoon characteristics over the last couple of years
Flooding in Bandar Kuantan, Pahang
(21/12/12)
Flooding in Pasir Mas, Kelantan (4/1/2013) Flooding in Kemaman, Terengganu
(27/12/12)
Flooding in Besut, Terengganu (25/12/12)
15
Flooding in Kajang (2 Dec 2011) Flooding in Kuala Lumpur
(7 Mac 2011)
Flooding in Hulu Langat
(7 Mac 2011)
Flooding in Perlis (Mac 2011)
Flooding in N. Sembilan (Jan
2011)
Flooding in R/Panjang, Kelantan (Jan
2011)
Flooding in Pahang (Feb 2011)
16
17
WATER SHORTAGES
The distribution and large variation of rainfall, couple with increasing demand has rendered several regions in the country facing water stress related problems;
Severe water shortage predicted in smaller states of Melaka, Perlis, and Pulau Pinang due to small water catchment area and limited forest cover;
Extended periods of droughts may cause water supply to fall short of water;
in States supporting large-scale agriculture for rice production such as Perlis, Kedah, and Selangor;
and those that are heavily populated and industrialised states such as in Pulau Pinang, Selangor, and the Federal Territories;
Selangor has almost reached maximum capacity to produce treated water for industries and domestic consumptions.
18
High per capita consumption (250 l/c/d) compared to
Singapore at 140 l/c/d and many other developed
countries
High non revenue water average 36 % as reported in
NWRS 2010 (Pulau Pinang –Lowest at 19.1% and
Pahang Highest 59%)
WATER SHORTAGES cont…
WATER SHORTAGES
cont…
20
WATER POLLUTION
Rivers and waterways are exposed to point and non point sources pollution.
A recent estimate puts the wastes dump into the Klang river system as amounting to average of 70,000 tons per year.
From a recent desktop study by NAHRIM on 90 selected lakes and reservoirs, 60 % are to be eutrophic (nutrient rich- primarily from nitrates and phosphates pollution originating from fertiliser and pesticide use in agriculture).
Polluters
Cities/ Industries
Agricultural/Livestock
activities
Land clearance
Affects
water supply services
human health
aquatic ecosystems
WATER POLLUTION cont…
Continue..
Source: DOE Report 2011
RIVER WATER QUALITY TREND IN MALAYSIA
Continue..
THREATS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE 23
Global warming created extreme variability in
the climate
This impact causes sea level rise and further
extremes in the flood and drought situations of
the country (NAHRIM’s Study: SLR of 0.1 to
0.13 cm per yr; river flow may increase by 20 –
40% by 2100)
24
CURRENT STATE OF WATER GOVERNANCE
There is no single formally constituted entity that is
presently empowered to plan, coordinate, and execute
IWRM
The National Water Resources Council (NWRC June 1998), whilst constituting a good coordinating body for water affairs, has not been provided with legal mandate for carrying out this function (legal instrument is one of the enabling environment for IWRM)
25
Water is a state matter as provided in Ninth Schedule, Article 74 of the Federal Constitution which allows states to manage water resources through: gazette of water catchments control of development
Water resources is presently regulated through an out-
dated legislation in most states No uniformity in water resources legislation in the states
CURRENT STATE OF WATER GOVERNANCE cont…
26
Strategic
Approach
STRATEGIC APPROACH:
i) Integrated Water Resources
Management – river basin management
ii) Water Resources Governance
iii) Water Demand Management based on
Water Availability
27
INTEGRATED WATER
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
~IWRM~
compromising the sustainability of vital
Ecosystems
to maximise the resultant economic and social
welfare in an equitable manner
A process that promotes the coordinated development and
management of water, land and related resources
(GWP, 2000)
in order
without
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT
~IWRM~
IWRM BUILDS ON
THE DUBLIN PRINCIPLES
Water is a finite and vulnerable resource
Water development & management should be a
participatory approach
Women has an important role in managing
water
Water has an economic value
WHY IWRM?
Growth in population, increased economic
activity and improved standards of living lead
to increased competition for and conflicts over
limited freshwater.
A combination of social inequity and economic
marginalisation forces people to overexploit soil
and forestry resources, with damaging impacts
on water resources.
a guiding conceptual framework
people to change their working practices
looking at the bigger pictures that surround them
introduce an element of decentralised democracy
(among many agencies)
how water is managed
emphasis on stakeholder participation
decision making at the lowest appropriate level.
IWRM Offers…
Networking
national,
regional &
global
Strong
political
will Financial &
technical
resources
Effective
institutional
setup
Public-private
partnership
Effective
enforcement
Constitution
legislation
& standards
Policy &
legislation IWRM
IWRM ELEMENTS
What should be
available?
•Policy
•Legislation
• Institutional set up
Water Resources Governance
National Water Resources Policy have been launched on 24 March 2012.
Principles of IWRM have been incorporated
into five-year development plans since the 8th Malaysia Plan
POLICY
36
LAUNCHING OF
NWRP
continue…
NWR POLICY
STATEMENT
“The security and sustainability of water
resources shall be made a national priority to ensure adequate and safe water for all, through
sustainable use, conservation and effective management of water resources enabled by a
mechanism of shared partnership involving all stakeholders.”
Federal Constitution amended in Jan 2005 to shift water
services from state list to concurrent list
New law on Water Services Commission passed by
Parliament in 2007
2008 - Water Services Industry Act enforced
2012 - National Water Resources Act drafted (currently
in consultation process)
LEGISLATION
INSTITUTIONAL SETUPS
MAJOR REFORMS IN MAR 2004
Separation of duties in terms of Water Resources Regulation & Water Supply Services) involving 2 main ministries:
* Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (NRE)
(Responsibility: To oversee the country’s natural resources and environment & look at alternatives in dealing with water related issues e.g.: Water shortages, deterioration of water quality etc)
* Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA)
(Responsibility: To manage the water utilities services, such as domestic and industrial water supply, sewerage and hydropower generation)
INSTITUTIONS/BODIES FORMED Selangor Waters Management Authority (LUAS) -
formed on 1st August 2000 - aim of adopting and
implementing IWRM/IRBM at the river basin level
within the State of Selangor, besides conserving
coastal resources and the environment.
Water Resources Department of Sabah.
Natural Resources and Environment Board
(Sarawak).
Kedah Water Management Board (LUAN) – yet to be
fully implemented.
INSTITUTIONAL SETUPS cont..
The Water Services Industry Act (WSIA) Bill 2006 and the National Water Services Commission (NWSC or SPAN, its Malay acronym) Bill 2006 are formed
(Function: To monitor and regulate the whole water industry and sewerage system on the policy directions set up by the government.)
Under 9th Malaysia Plan, the Water Asset Management Company (PAAB) - was formed
(Function: To address the funding needs in developing the water supply infrastructures such as dams, weirs, and other facilities to tap raw water for enhancing the Water delivery system and safe and adequate water supply in the country.)
Continue..
INSTITUTIONAL SETUPS cont..
CIVIL SOCIETY
Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) formed in Nov 1993.
The Malaysian Capacity Building Network for IWRM (MyCBNet)
Continue..
INSTITUTIONAL SETUPS cont..
43
Way Foward
THE WAY FORWARD
44
The need for political will to implement all the national
water resources programmes.
Focus and support by all stakeholders on the
implementation of the National Water Resources Policy.
Acceptance of draft National Water Resources Act by all
states for the purpose of uniformity and fulfilling present
needs and demands
45
THE WAY FORWARD cont…
Rebranding JPS to become Water Resources Department at National and State level. Uniformity of JPS roles and functions at state level has been
aligned as stipulated in the Ministerial Function Act. Currently performing about 60% of functions related to water resources management.
Urgency towards water demand management approach Increasing water delivery efficiency
Reducing water wastage
Paradigm shift in tariffs Current tariff too low
THE WAY FORWARD cont… 46
More involvement of Federal Government in water
resources and water services management as provided
under Article 94, Federal Constitution
Technical advice
Research
Capacity building
Need for sustained and adequate financing for the
development of all water related programmes.
47
Conclusion
CONCLUSION
48
Water resources though a State matter is also a vital national heritage to be sustainably conserved and preserved
Effective implementation of IWRM contributes to the realization of water security and water sustainability for Malaysia
IWRM is best applied at river basin level according to natural physical boundaries
Involvement of Federal Government in national water sector can expedite IWRM implementation
IWRM is achieved by partnerships, collaboration and public participation
THANK YOU
