KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) to 28.8 per cent by 2030 through several initiatives, such as the replacement of aging pipelines. NRW is water that is produced but lost before it reaches the consumer.
"The aim for NRW for this year is 34.6 per cent. If we can speed up implementation by 2030, the reduction (would be) 28.8 per cent," said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof at the sidelines of the Water Loss Asia 2024 conference today.
According to Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) minister, the National Water Services Commission (Span) had reported that the country's NRW was 37.1 per cent for 2023, which amounts to RM2 billion lost annually. This is equal to a daily loss of 7.195 million litres of treated water.
In line with the Water Transformation Roadmap 2040 (Air 2040), and an RM2.5 billion allocation in the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), the replacement of aging water pipes is hoped to lead to a reduction in NRW.
Fadillah highlighted the need for a new business model involving public-private partnerships to push the initiative further.
"We have to look at a business model that can attract private sector investors to invest," Fadillah added.
Air 2040 will be implemented over 20 years through four phases, beginning under RMK-13.
"As part of the national agenda, Air 2040 aims to transform the water sector into a sustainable and development-enabling industry, while contributing to Gross Domestic Product," he said.