SHAH ALAM, Aug 11 — A feasibility study on the development of a seawater desalination plant in Selangor is currently underway and is expected to be completed by December this year.
State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor), had appointed a consultant to conduct the study, which was expected to take six months.
He said the study was among the state government’s efforts to diversify alternative water supply sources to meet development demands in the area, as well as reduce reliance on existing water treatment plants (LRAs).
“The study will assess the technical, economic and environmental aspects, as well as the overall feasibility of the project.
“At present, the overall cost has yet to be determined, although we have examined its viability… (this is because) in terms of implementation costs, the cost of the project has come down compared with previously. Similarly, solar systems used to be expensive, but prices are now relatively competitive,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Mu’izzuddeen Mahyuddin (PN-Hulu Bernam) on the latest status of the feasibility study on the construction of a seawater desalination plant to ensure a long-term alternative water source for Selangor at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Elaborating, Izham said several potential locations had been identified along the eastern coastline of Pulau Indah as suitable sites for the development of the plant and would be finalised based on the findings of the study.
Meanwhile, he said the current treated water production by Air Selangor stood at 5,450 million litres per day (MLD).
“Air Selangor projects that water supply demand will increase to 9,653 MLD by 2045. In this regard, alternative water supply sources are being studied to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for Selangor,” he said. — Bernama
