“Every Drop Counts” Clean and Safe Water Quality is the Mission of Air Selangor

In our daily lives, water is an indispensable resource. Whether it’s for drinking, cooking, cleaning, or bathing, the quality of water directly affects our health.

However, when we occasionally turn on the tap and notice coloured water, it’s natural for many to feel concerned. Why does the water delivered to our homes sometimes appear discoloured? Could this impact our health and safety?

As consumers, should we feel anxious about this? Such questions have also sparked more attention toward water quality and the supply system.

Clean and safe drinking water is an essential part of our daily lives.

Therefore, Air Selangor is committed to providing clean and safe treated water to over 9.62 million users in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, ensuring that every drop meets the national drinking water quality standards.

Minerals naturally present in water, like iron and manganese, are the primary causes of water murkiness. Treated water usually contains these minerals, which can accumulate in the pipes over time, forming sediments.

When there is a pipe burst, leak repair, or a change in water flow speed or direction, these sediments may get stirred back into the water, causing it to become discoloured.

While this may be unsettling, in most cases, it is only a temporary issue. When experiencing such water quality issues, consumers can simply run the tap for a few minutes, allowing the sediments to be flushed out. The water quality should quickly return to being clear.

How Does Air Selangor Produce Clean Water?

As the largest water services provider in Malaysia, Air Selangor remains committed to its mission of providing clean and safe treated water. Air Selangor prioritizes water quality protection from the source and ensures each drop meets safety standards through scientifically robust and efficient treatment processes.

In the process of water treatment, Air Selangor employs a series of stringent water treatment techniques, including:

• Protection of raw water resources: The journey to clean water starts at the source. Air Selangor extracts raw water from multiple sources across Selangor, including rivers and dams. Air Selangor conducts regular water quality monitoring to safeguard these sources and their surrounding environments, reducing pollutants that could compromise water quality. Protecting the source is the essential first step in ensuring safe and high-quality water.
• Multi-Stage Filtration and Treatment: The raw water undergoes a comprehensive, multi-stage treatment process that includes sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. In the sedimentation tanks, larger particles settle out of the water. Next, a fine filtration system removes smaller particles and other harmful substances. Finally, disinfection methods, such as chlorination and UV treatment, are applied to eliminate bacteria and viruses, ensuring the water is safe for consumption.
• Chemical and Microbial Analysis: Every two hours, a team of specialised chemists and microbiologists at Air Selangor conducts rigorous testing on water from the water treatment plants (WTPs) to ensure consistent quality. Additionally, routine sampling from the distribution network and regular on-site and laboratory analysis at 34 WTPs help maintain safety standards throughout the distribution process.
• Mobile Laboratories and On-Site Monitoring: To respond swiftly to any potential water quality issues, Air Selangor operates mobile laboratories capable of conducting preliminary on-site water tests. Samples collected are sent to regional labs for detailed analysis, enabling rapid response and ongoing assurance of water quality.

Emphasising Water Resource Protection

In addition to water treatment processes, Air Selangor places great importance on the protection of water resources, taking a series of measures to ensure the cleanliness and sustainability of water resources.

Through regular environmental monitoring of water resources, Air Selangor identifies and controls potential pollutants that could affect water sources. This includes actively monitoring agricultural and industrial emissions, controlling waste and wastewater pollution, and strengthening environmental protection to prevent contamination of water resources.

In multiple water source areas, Air Selangor has established protection zones, strictly limiting inappropriate development activities to avoid human-made damage or pollution. Additionally, Air Selangor collaborates with local communities, government agencies, and environmental organizations to promote water resource protection through awareness and educational campaigns, raising public environmental consciousness.

In recent years, emerging pollutants such as pharmaceutical residues and chemicals have posed new challenges to water quality. In response, Air Selangor actively monitors and researches these emerging pollutants, exploring more effective detection methods. It has also incorporated the testing of pharmaceutical residues and chemical pollutants in its water quality monitoring to ensure the long-term safety of water resources.

Ensuring Water Quality, Caring for Every Drop of Water

At Air Selangor, every drop of water is crucial. Air Selangor understands that clean water is not only essential for daily life but also a foundation for healthy living.

Therefore, Air Selangor is committed to scientifically and efficiently managing water quality. Air Selangor focuses on every aspect of the process, from the source to the distribution system, ensuring that the water supply consistently meets national drinking water quality standards.

When issues like water turbidity arise, there is no need for excessive concern. These are typically temporary phenomena, and a simple water flush will restore it to normal. However, if the issue persists, consumers should contact Air Selangor for professional assistance.

Through the collaborative efforts of the consumers and Air Selangor, we ensure that every drop of water is clean and safe, safeguarding everyone’s health and quality of life.

With Air Selangor’s continued efforts, residents in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya can enjoy safe drinking water with peace of mind, where every drop becomes a guarantee of life.

Article Published in Sin Chew on 13 December 2024.