February is coming to an end and we have faced a number of water- related problems.
From water supply disruptions to floods, we either have too much or too little water, bringing disaster and frustration to Malaysians.
Unlike our usual hot and dry Chinese New Year, this year’s festive season was a little different.
Data from the Malaysian Meteorological Department showed that last month, 20 out of 34 rain monitoring stations showed “much above average” rainfall. This change in rainfall pattern is tied to the unusual number of floods this year.
We can blame climate change for this change, but we need to acknowledge that many water problems are caused by people too.
For example, the recent water supply disruptions in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were caused by river pollution. A single case like this affected 1.8 million people, causing inconvenience to households and businesses.
Now we have pipes bursting all over the country due to wear and tear. This means more water cuts.
I’m sure those who have experienced water cuts remember coming home from school or work only to find that you cannot take a bath or use the toilet.
Despite these problems, Ma-laysians seem to be comfortable with the situation.
However, we should bear in mind that we can expect to face even more water-related problems in the future
Imagine what it will be like when our industries are more developed and our population is much larger than it is today.
Today’s water problems are a foretaste of the more serious problems that we will face in the future. So, we need to look for solutions now.
If the push for action from the people is strong enough, the authorities and industries will have to put more effort into tackling the problem.
NAH KOK WAI,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor