GEORGE TOWN: Some 597,000 domestic water consumers in the state are set to enjoy the free first 10,000 litres of water per bill for six months as announced by the state government yesterday.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said domestic water consumers who used more than 10,000 litres in two months would save RM6.20 per bill in three bi-monthly bills.
Domestic water bills in Penang are billed on a bi-monthly basis.
"The total savings for each domestic water consumer will be RM18.60 in the specified six-month period.
"The projected impact on PBAPP's revenue in the period from July 1 to Dec 31, this year will be about RM11 million," he said today.
Yesterday, the Penang government had agreed to give for free the first 10,000 litres of water per bill for six months and issue a RM20 rebate for large households with an income of RM5,000 and below.
The state executive council (Exco), which convened its weekly meeting, had decided to instruct the PBAPP to provide rebates to the people to ease their burden.
Although Penang still enjoys the second-lowest water tariffs in Malaysia, many have complained about the sharp increase from the previous tariff, which had not been adjusted for 31 years for the first band (20 cubic metres) and nine years for other bands.
Pathmanathan said PBAPP would also expand its "Mesra Keluarga" rebate scheme coverage for large households (eight people or more).
He said, among others, the criteria for the application included big households with eight persons or more living in the same house (all have the same address in MyKad and B40 household income of RM5,580 and below, which is a household income for absolute poor category according to Household Income Survey Report Penang 2022.