by AFIQ AZIZ / pic by BERNAMA

INDAH Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd will jointly manage wastewater discharged from IWK sewerage treatment plants to be used by industrial sectors.

The recycling process will be operated through a special-purpose vehicle, Central Water Reclamation Sdn Bhd, which is co-owned by Air Selangor and IWK with the ratio of 60:40.

Through the inaugural cooperation, the bio-effluent treated by IWK will be supplied to Central Water’s facilities to produce non-potable treated water.

Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the water will then be distributed by Air Selangor through a dedicated pipe network to industrial consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Putrajaya for use in industrial processes and non-food crop agricultural applications.

He said the initiative is expected to fulfil the future high demand of treated water in the Klang Valley.

“In the early phase, Central Water will operate an existing treatment plant in Setia Alam, Selangor.

“The plant is capable of supplying 7.5 million litres of recycled water for a day,” Tuan Ibrahim said after witnessing the exchange of agreement in KL yesterday.

Also present were Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Air Selangor CEO Suhaimi Kamaralzaman and IWK CEO Narendran Maniam.

For the next phase, Tuan Ibrahim said Central Water is aiming to channel a total of 247 million litres of recycled water per day for the Klang Valley area.

“This joint venture (JV) will involve a total investment of about RM600 million,” the minister said.

Narendran said the investment for its first reclaimed water treatment plant in Setia Alam is worth about RM15 million.

“This project involves an existing plant complete with a pipe network. “Central Water is expected to take over and commence operations of the first water reclamation treatment plant in Setia Alam by the second quarter of 2021,” he told the press after the virtual event.

Narendran added that Air Selangor and IWK have agreed to immediately explore at least two other collaborative opportunities in respect of IWK treatment plants at Pantai 2, KL, and Section 23, Shah Alam, which are expected to be implemented in early 2022.

“This is a long-term JV to reduce problems relating to potable water.

“This is industrial grade water that goes through a technology of ultra filtration and reverse osmosis. It is pure, demineralised water capable of assisting industrial production in the Klang Valley,” he said.

Meanwhile, Air Selangor CEO Suhaimi Kamaralzaman said parties who are interested to explore potential reclaimed water supply for non-potable applications may contact Air Selangor to discuss the suitability and feasibility of their locations and premises.

He said the collaboration will optimise the nation’s available water resources while protecting the environment, highlight the long-term commitment of both entities to the sustainable development of Malaysia’s water industry, and support the government’s target to recycle 33% of the nation’s treated effluent by 2030 under the Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030.