Don’t let those who pay suffer

The Star 24/8/2006 By CHARLES FERNANDEZ

CONSUMERS who pay their bills regularly should not suffer water cuts because others staying in the same high-rise block have defaulted in their payment.

Hence, Serdang MP Datuk Yap Pian Hon urged Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) to install individual meters for high-rise dwellers. Speaking to reporters after launching the Package B of the storage tank at the Hulu Langat water treatment plant with Syabas' chief operations officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi, Yap said it was just a suggestion to the water authority to consider because of the complaints by certain consumers.

Lee said he would look into the suggestion, adding that should Syabas decide to provide individual meters, the company would require a total of 400,000 units.

He said since Syabas took over the operations 20 months ago from the Selangor Government under a privatisation deal, they had carried out several programmes for the benefit of consumers in Putrajaya, Beranang, Semenyih, Kajang, Balakong , Sg Long and Serdang which included development and upgrading of distribution system, asset management and replacement and non-revenue reduction programme.

“The entire development programme is costing the company RM11billion which will be carried out over a 30-year period. The package B storage tank programme is one of our major commitment to our consumers,'' said Lee

He added that since the takeover, Syabas had spent RM510mil in carrying out several programmes that included upgrading the distribution system and improving the water quality.

“The RM200mil package B is part of a three package project which is aimed at improving the water distribution system in the Hulu Langat district, which was first initiated during the PUAS management,'' said Lee.

He said with the launch of the new package, which was completed in May, consumers would no longer suffer water disruptions as in the past as they were now assured of better quality water and constant supply.

The areas that would benefit from this package are Taman Bukit Belimbing, Taman Sungai Besi Indah, Taman Tanming Jaya, Tanming Industrial Park, Kampung Baru Balakong, Balakong Jaya Industrial Zone, Taman Industri Selesa Jaya, Taman Tanming Jaya 1, Taman Tanming Jaya 2, Taman Puncak Utama, Taman Sri Timah, Taman, Harmoni Indah, Taman Impian Ehsan and the Seri Kembangan areas in case of emergencies.

Lee said while Syabas was always on the move to improve its services, there would be problems of water loss due to burst pipes, consumers are urged to call Puspel at 1800-88-5252