Plan for safe water supply

NST: PUBLIC health is at stake whenever a natural disaster strikes. The recent floods that wreaked havoc in most parts of southern Peninsular Malaysia and the east coast have raised concerns. There are the issues of rubbish in rivers, sediments in piping systems, effluent discharges by factories, the sewage system and others. Water experts are not only worried about contamination of the supply systems but want a national water safety plan to be established.

KUALA LUMPUR: A plan is being drafted to ensure that water supply systems are not contaminated during natural disasters such as floods.
Overflowing septic tanks, polluted water catchment areas and the shutdown of water treatment plants are common occurrences during floods and other natural disasters.
To safeguard public health and the safety of water supply systems, a Water Safety Plan that adopts the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines is being drafted by water experts and officials from the Health Ministry.
Water expert and Malaysia Water Association vice-president Professor Zaini Ujang said during major floods, water systems could be contaminated.
He said there was no standard operating procedure when it came to handling water sources and their distribution line during major floods.
"It is not so much about sources of drinking water because people tend to drink bottled water.
"Our concern is post-flooding measures," said Zaini.
"Most villages have septic tanks, which are full after 10 to 15 years and the contents could spill out."
And there other aspects of pollution such as rubbish in rivers, sediments in piping systems, effluent discharges by factories, water intake points, pumping stations, the sewage system and even individual toilet bowls in households.
"Now, public health engineers measure water samples and look for water-borne diseases. This has to be co-ordinated throughout the affected area."
The plan, a detailed document for the overall handling of water safety in the country, comes with an important component on emergency management procedures.
This includes a procedure which will take into account response for unpredictable events like floods, as well as the necessary actions required by water operators and related bodies.
The WHO came out with the guidelines in 2004 but they had not been implemented in Malaysia due to the many-sided division in duties when it comes to the water sector.
The Health Ministry takes care of water quality, the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry is in charge of water supply, and the Department of Environment looks after water intake points such as rivers.
Zaini, who until recently was the vice-president of the International Water Association, said he had been asked to provide feedback and expertise for the plan.