Air Selangor Delivers Commendable Results in 2024, Strengthening its Commitment to Sustainable Water Management for the Future

Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) successfully turned challenges into opportunities in 2024 by implementing various strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and infrastructure maintenance. These efforts have resulted in an improved water supply experience for its 9.62 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, fulfilling its commitment to delivering “Joy in Every Drop”!

These achievements not only strengthen the resilience of the water supply system but also ensure the sustainability of water resources, further safeguarding consumer well-being. Key achievements of Air Selangor in 2024 include:

• The NRW rate was reduced to 27%, improving operational efficiency and lowering costs while saving approximately 298.36 million liters of water daily.
• Water Reserve Margin: Increased to 18.6% in 2024 compared to 15.34% in 2023, marking a 5% growth. This improvement is attributed to strict monitoring of dams and water treatment plants, as well as the progressive completion of the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant.
• Pipe Burst Index (PBI): The pipe burst index dropped to 3.25 cases per 100 km in 2024, compared to 4.18 cases per 100 km in 2023. This figure is significantly lower than the international benchmark of 13 cases per 100 km.
• Water Quality: Achieved 99.93% compliance with the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) Drinking Water Quality Standards, maintaining a rate above 99% for four consecutive years.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Solar systems were installed at key water treatment plants, reducing energy costs by over RM6.78 million, aligning with efforts to minimise carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Strengthening Water Supply Resilience for Consumer Benefit

Entering 2025, Air Selangor will continue to implement strategic initiatives to enhance the resilience of the water supply system, ensuring long-term benefits for consumers.

These initiatives align with Air Selangor’s commitment to meeting consumer needs and improving community well-being. Key initiatives include the development of major water treatment plants (WTPs) as well as compact and portable WTPs to boost treated water supply capacity, meeting the comfort supply level set by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

The construction of compact and portable water treatment plants will also improve water supply efficiency at strategic locations and serve as backup systems during plant maintenance or emergencies.

For example, the Labohan Dagang WTP will produce 100 million liters per day (MLD) of treated water (immediately available), with future expansion to 300 MLD. Meanwhile, the overflow from Putrajaya Lake can produce up to 50 MLD of treated water daily.

Additionally, Air Selangor is working with Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) to identify strategic locations, including non-grid catchment areas and raw water sources to serve as temporary water supply sources.

Strengthening Water Reclamation Initiatives

On water reclamation, Air Selangor strengthen water reclamation efforts to enhance alternative water resources through collaboration with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) via the Central Water Reclamation Sdn Bhd (CWR). This initiative is particularly focused on supporting data centres, projected to exceed 240 MLD in demand.

Additionally, in collaboration with Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), Air Selangor will also support the Selangor government’s Zero Discharge Policy, encouraging industries to adopt treated wastewater reuse. This initiative covers both household and industrial wastewater, gradually closing the water loop and positioning Air Selangor as a leader in sustainable water resource management through circular economy practices.

Furthermore, Air Selangor plans to expand its renewable energy initiatives by installing more solar panels at WTPs, pumping stations, and strategic locations. The company is also exploring hydro turbine technology to generate electricity from continuous water flow (CWF), with a goal of achieving energy recovery by 2035. These efforts will help reduce high operational costs and drive Air Selangor towards its Net Zero Energy vision by 2040.

Enhancing Water Management for a Sustainable Future

For NRW management, Air Selangor aims to reduce NRW to 25% by 2030 through a performance-based contract model, leveraging external expertise and financial resources. This approach will allow the company to share cost savings with contractors while avoiding high upfront investments.

Additionally, the company plans to replace 300 km of aging pipes annually, increasing to 400 km per year from 2034, with the ultimate goal of replacing 5,000 km of old pipes within 15 years (by 2040).

To support the National Water Services Commission’s (SPAN) target of reducing Malaysia’s per capita water consumption to 160 liters per day by 2030, Air Selangor will integrate water conservation efforts into its 2025–2030 Water Conservation Roadmap, promoting efficient and sustainable water usage.

Various initiatives are already in place, such as the Water Handbook, developed with the University of Malaya to educate the public on sustainable water use. Practical measures include installing water-efficient taps in mosques, enabling consumers to report leaks via the Air Selangor app, and engaging the younger generation through a collaboration with BoBoiBoy.

Looking ahead, Air Selangor is further advancing its conservation efforts by supporting SPAN’s push for water-efficient taps, including a programme to install such taps in eight mosques across Selangor. To lead by example, Air Selangor is also implementing rainwater harvesting systems at its regional offices, reducing reliance on treated water for non-drinking purposes like irrigation and cleaning. These initiatives reflect Air Selangor’s commitment to fostering a water-conscious society through education, innovation, and community-driven actions.

All these initiatives will be executed swiftly and effectively, in line with Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari’s vision for 2025 as the “Year of Action for Selangor.”

Ultimately, Air Selangor remains committed to maintaining the highest operational standards across all aspects of its water supply process – from raw water abstraction to treated water distribution, ensuring that every drop of water truly matters.

Article Published in Sin Chew on 29 March 2025.