GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has approved in principle a proposal to upgrade the Bahagian Kawal Selia Air Pulau Pinang (BKSA) to the Lembaga Sumber Air Pulau Pinang (Penang Water Authority).
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the matter was decided by the state executive council in a meeting on Sept 25.
Zairil said the establishment of the Penang Water Authority was an important step in enhancing the management of water resources in Penang.
He said the proposed legislation would encompass five main pillars, namely the management and protection of water resources, the use of water resources and the conservation of water resources.
It also included enforcement and offences and penalties.
"Through this Penang Water Authority, the state government will be able to manage water resources more comprehensively and effectively, backed by the authority of the legislation, regulations, and relevant expertise.
"More importantly, this authority will also allow the state government to strengthen pollution control and the protection of water resources through mechanisms such as licensing operators or owners conducting activities related to water resources, such as water abstraction," he told newsmen at his office in Komtar here today.
Zairil said, additionally, the imposition of charges on the discharge of pollutants (effluents) could also be introduced to help control water quality while generating revenue for the state government.
"The state government is currently in the process of reviewing the final draft of the Water Resource Enactment.
"We aim to present the bill at the state assembly meeting in May next year," he added.