BEIJING: River protection and water conservation are integral parts of the ecosystem to ensure sustainability and water security, and hold equal importance in Malaysia's Water Sector Transformation 2040 (WST 2040).
"The WST focuses on improving governance, enhancing financial sustainability, and adopting smart technology to drive sustainable water management," said National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago in a presentation at the 3rd Asia International Water Week (AIWW3).
The former member of parliament for Klang added that this was in line with the 2023 UN Water Action Agenda, which called for "rethinking water policies, by fostering inclusive partnerships, and increasing financial investment in water infrastructure."
Santiago cautioned that the world was not on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation by 2030.
He highlighted that crossing the critical 1.5°C warming threshold had already resulted in "intense and prolonged droughts, rain and floods," which placed immense pressure on river systems and threaten water security.
Santiago also warned about the environmental impact of emerging technology like generative AI, which consumed vast amounts of water, leading to thermal pollution and chemical contamination in rivers.
"The enormous demand by new technology strains local water resources, particularly rivers, which serve as the primary source of freshwater," he said.
Santiago outlined several strategies to protect Malaysia's river systems, such as urging industries to recycle and reuse wastewater, citing Selangor's Zero Discharge Policy as an effective model.
"As this policy expands, industries must be held accountable through stricter enforcement and financial penalties for non-compliance, ensuring long-term water security and cleaner rivers nationwide," he said.
He also suggested introducing a surcharge to promote prudent water use, similar to models in China and Singapore.
"The tax would emphasise water's scarcity value and encourage conservation at every level of society," he said.
To streamline river governance, Santiago proposed establishing federal agencies to manage river systems based on a basin-wide approach, similar to Australia's Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
He argued that this approach "integrates the management of the entire river system, ensuring a balanced distribution of water that meets both human and environmental demands."
He also highlighted the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge into river management.
"By recognising their wisdom and adopting practices that protect river ecosystems, countries... can not only enhance environmental conservation but also uphold cultural heritage," he said.
On March 22, Santiago said water must be treated as a national security matter, and shortages in pockets of Penang and Langkawi around that time were a sign of what could happen across the peninsula if no action was taken in just five years due to a combination of climate change, wastage, and ageing infrastructure.
The 3rd Asia International Water Week (AIWW3) is a triennial event organised by the Asia Water Council (AWC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources of China that took place from Sept 23 to 28 for regional stakeholders and experts to discuss concrete plans on water-related issues.