Requests for individual water
meters under study
The Star 12/4/2005 By SALINA KHALID
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) is studying whether it is
permissible to install individual water meters at high-rise residential
units.
Its executive chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail said the company had received
a lot of requests from apartment owners asking for individual meters for
their units.
“We have received a lot of requests from apartment owners for individual
meters for their units.
“But we have to check the Sales and Purchase Agreements (S&P) and study
the matter thoroughly as it involves legal aspects,” he said.
He added that if it was permissible, then Syabas would draft a proposal to
the Government to allow apartment owners to get individual water meters.
He also said the matter would have to get the green light from the Cabinet
prior to implementation.
Rozali said under the S&P, residents of high-rise buildings (condominiums,
apartments and flats) receive water supply from the company through a bulk
meter.
The water supply is then diverted to individual sub-meters for the
residents. A bulk water bill is sent to the management company (MC) or
developer, who in turn will charge the unit owners for the amount of water
used.
Problems arise when some of the residents fail to settle their water bills
over a period of time, causing arrears to accumulate over the years.
Sometimes it leads to the termination of water supply to the whole
building, causing anger to those who have paid their bills on time.
Rozali was speaking after attending a briefing session on privatisation of
water supply services. The briefing, at the State Assembly Hall in Shah
Alam last Saturday, was held for the Selangor exco, assemblymen, members
of parliament, municipal council presidents and district officers.
Syabas took over the supply and management of water in Selangor, Kuala
Lumpur and Putrajaya from Perbadanan Urus Air Selangor (Puas) on Jan 1.
Rozali said the company was conducting an amnesty campaign and urged all
those stealing water in the areas under its jurisdiction to surrender
before next Monday. The one-month campaign, from March 18, is to encourage
those who have carried out illegal extensions from main water pipes to
their premises, to register legally for the supply.
If they fail to do so, they could face legal action and if found guilty,
could face a RM50,000 fine or two years jail, or both.
“There is still time for them to come forward and make arrangements with
us.
“We will not take any action before April 18,” said Rozali.
There are an estimated 50,000 water theft cases in the Klang Valley
involving industrial and residential premises. |
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