[UPDATED] Air Selangor will increase charges for tiered water tariffs starting from Feb 1

KUALA LUMPUR – Effective February 1, Air Selangor will hike its tiered water tariffs for domestic users as per an announcement made by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).

The minimum charge for domestic users will increase to RM6.50 from RM6.

As for the tiered charges, users will have to pay RM0.65 per cubic metre for the first 20 cubic metres, which is an increase of 8 sen per cubic metre.

For the second tier (20-35 cubic metres), users will be charged RM1.32 per cubic metre, an increase of RM1.03 from RM0.29 previously. The maximum charge is RM5.95 monthly for those using up to 35 cubic metres.

For the highest usage of 35 cubic metres and above, users will be paying RM2.63 per cubic metre, an increase of RM0.63 from RM2.

In a statement earlier, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that for the condominium category, the minimum charge would remain at RM173 per month. 

The new charge will see an increase of 30 sen to RM1.68 for consumption per cubic metre.

“For estates and government quarters, the new charge will see an increase of 68 sen to RM1.68, and the new minimum charge will be RM16.80 per month, compared to the previous rate of RM12.00,” he added.

He said that the new rate for the low-cost house category is RM0.98 per cubic metre, which is the lowest charge among all residential categories, with an 18 sen per cubic metre difference.

Meanwhile, he added that for commercial enterprises and other non-domestic buildings, there will be an increase to RM2.70 for water consumption below 35 cubic metres, while consumption of more than 35 cubic metres will be charged at RM2.94 per cubic metre.

Amirudin said that for houses of worship and welfare institutions, a low charge of 6 sen per cubic metre up to RM0.66 will be imposed.

“Meanwhile, for the shipping category, a new rate of RM7.08 will be charged, reflecting an 8 sen increase from the previous rate,” he said.

“The state government is of the opinion that this adjustment will ensure continuity and enable Air Selangor to address the problems of leaking and broken pipes.

“The plan also involves doubling the rate of replacing obsolete pipes, increasing it from 150km per year to 300km per year starting this year,” he added.

Amirudin said that the state government, via Air Selangor, aims to enhance the quality of services to be more responsive and efficient for the people.

“This includes upgrading the Air Selangor app.

“In light of this cost increase, the state government will absorb and bear the additional costs for over one million people in the state. This covers 285,673 accounts, recipients of free water through the Darul Ehsan Water Scheme (SADE).

“This means that the benefit each household had previously received from SADE has increased from RM11.40 per month to RM13.00 per month.

“Consequently, the state government’s expenditure is expected to rise from RM31.8 million to an estimated RM37.3 million annually,” he added.

Furthermore, Amiruddin said the state government would also bear additional costs for houses of worship and welfare institutions in Selangor, amounting to an estimated RM2 million.

He also urged Selangorians earning below RM5,000 a month and wishing to apply for SADE’s free water benefit to visit the Air Selangor website at https://www.airselangor.com/residential/skim-air-darul-ehsan/ for further information.

SPAN had previously announced that the adjustments were implemented under the Tariff Setting Mechanism, with the structure and components of the water tariff being standardised for states in the peninsula as well as Labuan.

The rates will be reviewed every three years to ensure consistency in payment determination.

SPAN said the adjustment in water tariff rates, reflecting the cost of water supply, was crucial to enable water operators to improve service levels in continuously providing quality water. – January 18, 2024