Negri Sembilan agrees to sell treated water to KL

KUALA KLAWANG, Malaysia - The Negri Sembilan state government has agreed to sell treated water to Kuala Lumpur in a bid to solve the territory's water problem which is expected to worsen in the coming years.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the state is ready to provide water once the Kampung Ngoi Ngoi treatment plant in Pantai, Seremban, is fully operational by early next year.

"We have already suggested that the state and KL sign a similar agreement that of Johor and Singapore during the 8th National Water Resources Council meeting in KL last month," he told reporters after visiting the Titi Water Treatment Plant, here, today.

He said the Federal Territory did not have its own source of water and had always been dependent on Selangor.

"However, there is bound to be problem due to the Selangor state government's refusal in upgrading the Sungai Langat Water Treatment Plant,"

Mohamad however said a number of conditions would be made, including the state government naming the price for the treated water which would be determined later.

If the deal materialises, at least three special pipes would be built along the North - South Expressway (PLUS) KL - Seremban as Selangor did not allow any structure for this purpose to be built within the state.

"The location for the pond that would be receiving the water supply would be decided by KL," he said, adding that the Federal Territory welcomed the move.

The Kampung Ngoi Ngoi water treatment plant has the capacity to churn out 159 million litres of water per-day and Seremban only required 45 million litres from the treatment plant to accommodate the lack of water from the Sungai Terip water treatment plant.

"The balance of some 114 million litres of water would be sold to the Federal Territory. However, this would not be enough to provide water for neighbouring states," he said, hinting that another treatment plant would be built next to the Kampung Ngoi Ngoi water treatment plant.

"Another treatment plant which can treat 545 million litres of water per-day is also being considered. We have no problem in getting raw water as the state has plenty of water sources."