Bacteria in Water From Water Vending Machine

It is worrying when the news regarding bacteria found in the water from the water vending machine. The news reported that most of the samples tested were not in compliance with the National Drinking Water Standards and also the upcoming Safe Drinking Water Act.

According to the news, Coliform and Clostridium perfringens that were found in the water from the water vending machine can cause cramps, diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems. Believing that the water quality is safe, most of the consumers drink the water directly without even boiling it.

In Malaysia, most of the water vending machines are selling water at the price of RM0.20 per liter. It may sounds as a cheap alternative to the 500ml bottled water which costs RM1.00-RM1.50. However, the water supplied by the water operator only costs an average of RM0.66 per 1000 litre.  

According the news report, Ministry of Health has already ordered all water vending machine operators to register since 2013. However, it seems that the order has fallen into the deaf ears and the water vending machines keep mushrooming in the country.

The consequences for an infant to be feed with the contaminated water will be intolerable. According to the health ministry statistic, diarrhea or gastrointestinal related health problem is one of top five killers in Malaysia.

While we are already facing the brunt of the water crisis, now we are embattled with the quality of water from the water vending machine which many consumers deem as the alternative resource of drinking water.

Now, the Ministry of Health must acts fast by demanding all water vending machine operators to be registered and perform water quality check according to the schedule. For those who do not register or water quality is not in compliance with the national standards, the machine must be confiscated and operator being blacklisted. 

Consumer also must play their role in tackling this problem too. According to the Food Hygience Act 2009 part 5 chapter 6 (53) to chapter 6 (55):

- The name and registration address of the owner must be labeled on the machine.

- All machine must have self-closing, tight fitting door on the dispense compartment when the machine is not in-use.

In addition, stop using the water vending machine if you see things listed as below:

- The water vending machine is rusty.

- Unknown substances found in the water.

- Regular maintenance schedule is missing.

Exert your rights as a wise consumer and boycott the water vending machine if all the requirements above are not met. Furthermore, make an official complaint to the nearest consumer association or to the Ministry of Health. 

This article was published in Malaysiakini.com, Themalaysianinsider.com and also The Star newspaper.

Selangor’s Water Problems

It is worrying to note that the water level at the Sungai Selangor Dam, which services over 60% of households in the Klang Valley is receding at an alarming rate.

The current reading of 35.69% (as of July 25) is way below the 37-38% level when water rationing was called off on May 1. Since then, rainfall has been irregular.

The months of June and July were declared the driest in 20 years based on historical data by the Meteorological Department. This situation will continue for some time as we await the rainy season after the monsoonal change somewhere in September.

With the resurgence of the haze in Peninsular Malaysia, water consumption is expected to increase as people use more water to keep themselves hydrated and to cool down.

While we might experience reduced water consumption in the Klang Valley when many balik kampung for Hari Raya, water shortages will resurface once everyone returns.

As of today, no government agency has announced any mitigation measures in regards to this problem. Maybe cloud seeding can be considered, to clear off the haze at the very least.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has reported that the haze will persist until September due to open burning activities in Central Sumatra, Indonesia. Once again, no concrete solution has been announced to solve this issue.

The public needs more information on the current water situation in Selangor.

The amount of water being extracted from ex-mining pools; the success rate of previous cloud seeding operations; as well as data on daily treated water production versus daily water consumption must be made public.

With the information, the public can be more mindful of their water consumption and thus reduce water demand.

In addition, government agencies will have more time to plan and implement mitigation plans in order to avoid acute water shortages.

Political games and fingers pointing must be put aside in order to solve this problem. All stakeholders must communicate and work together as a way forward in tackling this looming water problem.

Foon Weng Lian

This LoE (Letter to Editor) was published in TheMalaysianInsider.com and FreeMalaysiaToday.com on 25 July 2014. 

SEDA Malaysia: International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2014

The biennial International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2014 will be held on March 18 & 19, 2014 at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Selangor, Malaysia. The main organizer of this summit is the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia, with the support from the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) Malaysia. The main of goal of this event is to update on the industry development and promote awareness to the various stakeholders as well as the public on sustainable energy.  ISES also acts as a platform to provide exchange of sustainable energy information and network opportunities. The theme for this year is aiming to reinforce the important role of sustainable energy in our quest for national energy autonomy.

Trip to Cooltek, AUO Sunpower and also KMB Solar Farm, Melaka

On the 19^th January 2014, I was invited to attend a site visit at Melaka organized by Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia. The aim of the visit is aiming to promote the awareness of renewable energy and also Feed-in Tariff (FiT).

First stop, Cooltek Energy Efficient House

Solar Power and Feed-in-Tariff In Malaysia Part 2

Source: www.anonymousartofrevolution.com

Solar energy is one of the renewable energies that are readily available in the world and of course in Malaysia, as our country is located at the strategic location – the equator. The sun produces an abundant source of clean, renewable energy. This can be converted into electricity using solar photovoltaic technology, usually referred to as ‘solar PV’. At the moment, the best mechanism in the world to drive the development of solar energy in the world is Feed-in Tariff (FiT).

Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in Malaysia Part 1

Feed-in Tariff (FiT) is among the most effective policy instrument to encourage the development of renewable energy in a country.

Facts:

1. FiT is simply a guaranteed price established for anyone who wants to sell renewable electricity to the grid, and a guarantee that they will have access to grid to do so.
2. The price, or tariff is set so that a modest profit is ensured, thereby unleashing the collective capital resources of the entire province, state or country to be part of the transition to renewable energy.
3.  Any incremental cost of purchasing the renewable energy is shared among all consumers of that energy.