Malaysians not exercising caution in water usage, tend to waste it - Expert
The level of water consumption in Malaysia is getting higher each year, exceeding the 180-litre limit set in RMK11 and RMK12.
SHAH ALAM - The consumption of water has reached 240 litres per day in most households, showing the attitude of the people in this country who are not prudent and like to waste.
Water expert who is also the former energy, green technology and water (KeTTHA) ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang said that the amount exceeded the 180-litre limit set in the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK11) and RMK12.
"The level of water consumption in Malaysia is getting higher every year. The target organised internationally by various agencies including the World Health Organisation (WHO) is 160 litres a day but we (Malaysia) use more than 80 litres per capita per person.
"That is the data of the National Water Services Commission (Span) in the Peninsula excluding Sabah and Sarawak," he told Sinar, yesterday.
Zaini said this was caused by some people who tend to use water excessively when doing daily activities such as bathing, taking wudhu and washing kitchen utensils.
"We shower for too long with a strong water jet. Second, we shower many times a day, half of the people shower three times a day.
"Every time you take a shower, you use a lot of water. On average, a minute of shower, at least three litres of water are used.
"If we shower for 10 minutes, it means in 30 litres of water, that's just for shower. If you shower three times, 90 litres of water a day," he said.
In addition, he said that based on the research done, as many as five to 10 litres of water was used to take ablution.
"Then there are other things too, the way we wash the dishes. The water flows directly when we wash, then we do not recycle the water.
"Supposedly, the water we wash our food before cooking can be used to water flowers, vegetables and so on but we just throw it away," he commented.
Zaini added that there were two ways that could be used to save water use, namely through behaviour and equipment.
"There are gadgets that we can use such as water saving gadgets. Use water saving gadgets recommended by Span.
"Then there is also a system using sensors for those who take ablution in the mosque. So the water does not come out quickly," he said.
