KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) raided two railway construction sites today in Taman Melati, Gombak, and Serendah, Hulu Selangor, which were suspected to be stealing water via illegal water connections.
Its enforcement division director Ainal Yusman Mohamad Yusop said an estimated 250,000 cubic metres of treated water had allegedly been stolen, with RM410,000 in losses recorded in the year the connection was made at both locations.
The surprise enforcement operation was carried out after receiving a complaint from Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd.
“During the enforcement operation conducted in Taman Melati, SPAN found two connections using 25mm and 32mm HDPE pipes directly to the main Air Selangor pipe.
“The suspected illegal connection involved the use of water channelled to the temporary workers' housing area for daily use, with an estimated usage of 175,000 cubic metres involving losses of around RM300,000,” he told the press during the enforcement operation in Taman Melati today.
Ainal said the water supply from the illegal connection was also found to be stored in several water storage tanks for washing vehicles entering and leaving the construction site.
In Serendah, the illegal channel connection detected using a 25mm HDPE pipe involved water usage of 75,000 cubic metres with RM110,000 in losses in the same period (one year).
He said investigations have revealed that the premises did not have a valid water supply account registered with Air Selangor and the offence was under Section 123(1) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), which will be further investigated by SPAN.
“Under the provisions of Section 123(1) of Act 655, no one other than a licensee can make any connection to a public main or service water pipe.
“Upon conviction, the accused can be fined not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or both as provided under Section 123(3) of the same Act,” Ainal said, adding that he did not rule out the possibility that the illegal water connection was made to make more profit.
SPAN seeks public cooperation to report suspected cases of water theft to SPAN via WhatsApp at 013-388 5000 or email to [email protected].
— Bernama
