Non-Revenue Water in Malaysia: Influence of Water Distribution Pipe Types

Abstract

Reducing non-revenue water (NRW) within a water distribution network may lead to significant water savings. Most existing literature tend to focus on the design and implementation aspects of NRW loss through better management of leaks, reservoir overflow, and water theft. In contrast, this paper examines the association between the various water pipe types and their respective impact on NRW loss in an emerging country. Malaysia is currently listed under emerging and developing economies category in the International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook Database (October 2020). A correlation analysis is carried out using historical data obtained from the Malaysian water authority, covering fiscal years 2013 to 2017 (inclusive of both years). Further analysis is carried out by measuring the number of cases reported for two selected states in relation to the type of pipe materials used. Results show that there is a significant correlation between mild steel and polyethylene pipes to NRW loss. This study provides a better understanding of how water pipe types affect NRW loss, which is pertinent to developing best practices in the marketplace to manage NRW loss and protect water resources.

Key Challenges to Urban Water Management in ASEAN

“…7% and 24.19%, respectively (PBAHB 2018;Ranhill 2018). In comparison, the NRW rates of Pahang, Kelantan, and Perlis were considerably higher at 47.5%, 49.3%, and 63.1%, respectively (Jones et al 2021).…”

“…High NRW loss prevents water utilities from providing full and reliable coverage at affordable prices (Liemberger and Wyatt 2019). It also leads to a significant increase in the capital that water service providers must expend on operational and maintenance (O&M) costs to guarantee undisrupted water supply to users (Araral and Yahua 2013;Jones et al 2021). Moreover, water consumers in the domestic and non-domestic sectors often have little incentive to reduce their water consumption or use water more efficiently (Damania et al 2017).…”

Critical review of household water treatment in Southeast Asian countries

“…However, Malaysia is an exception where rural and urban regions have a negative growth rate in improving access to at least basic water services with −0.14% and −0.01%, respectively. Physical water loss is a worrying issue in Malaysia, and it could be one of the contributing factors to the decline of at least basic water services growth rate (Jones et al, 2021; See & Ma, 2018). An unusually high non‐revenue water compared to other SEA countries (Malaysia's NRW in 2017: 5929 million liters per day) due to aged water distribution infrastructure, added with increased water consumption due to population growth (increased population by 40%, from 23.19 million in 2000 to 32.37 million in 2020) were observed in Malaysia (Jones et al, 2021; See & Ma, 2018).…”

“…Physical water loss is a worrying issue in Malaysia, and it could be one of the contributing factors to the decline of at least basic water services growth rate (Jones et al, 2021; See & Ma, 2018). An unusually high non‐revenue water compared to other SEA countries (Malaysia's NRW in 2017: 5929 million liters per day) due to aged water distribution infrastructure, added with increased water consumption due to population growth (increased population by 40%, from 23.19 million in 2000 to 32.37 million in 2020) were observed in Malaysia (Jones et al, 2021; See & Ma, 2018). The increased water consumption and water loss are further exacerbated by frequent pollution of raw water sources of drinking water treatment plants (Maniam et al, 2021).…”

“…The increased water consumption and water loss are further exacerbated by frequent pollution of raw water sources of drinking water treatment plants (Maniam et al, 2021). Ongoing studies are addressing the high NRW in Malaysia (Jones et al, 2021). The repercussion of lack of access to clean water comes down to human health risks.…”