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ALOR STAR – The Kedah state government has urged all owners of large-scale crops with farms and gardens not to use treated water in tending their crops.
The Menteri Besar’s Office in a statement today said gardeners or plantation owners were asked to consider using an alternative water supply for the purpose of watering crops instead.
“This is because, in some areas with low water pressure, consumers at the end of the Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada)’s supply pipeline will be affected more severely when some farmers collect water at night to be stored for watering their crops the next day.
“In this regard, their cooperation is needed to provide opportunities for consumers at the end of the channel to get adequate water supply for basic needs,” the office stated.
Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhamad Sanusi Md Nor was reported to have said that state government officials have detected activities involving the watering of durian trees by owners using treated water supply at night, resulting in low water pressure affecting Sik.
He said activities involving orchards are located far away from water sources such as canals and paddy fields.
Last week, Kedah Meteorological Office director Muhammad Khalil Abd Aziz said the hot weather and drought spell that hit Kedah since the beginning of this year is expected to last until the end of March or early April.
Meanwhile, the statement added that the Kedah state government has never underestimated the problem of clean water supply which has long been an issue for the people in most districts in the state.
It said the water problem in Kedah has been persisting for a long time and it is difficult to completely overcome the situation in a short time.
“This is compounded by the financial constraints faced by Sada over the past few years.
“Based on records, Sada has recorded a loss of RM36 million in 2019.
“As a result, maintenance work cannot be done properly because it involves very high costs.”
However, the statement added that SADA managed to record a profit of RM1 million in 2020, followed by a profit of RM30 million before tax last year.
In this regard, the statement said, the state government was aiming for the treated water supply problem to be resolved within two to three years after all the water treatment plants presently under construction were completed.
“The state government hopes that the people can be patient while various efforts are being carried out by the government and Sada with all possible efforts to bring the people out of this problem.” – The Vibes, January 26, 2022