Kuala lumpur: The introduction of the Rainwater Harvesting System (SPAH) under the National Water Resources Policy and Water Sector Transformation 2040 agenda aims to support more sustainable water management, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. The Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) added that the initiative can also reduce the demand for treated water, function as a backup during disruptions, and use less energy compared to conventional sources.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in line with a strategy for sustainable and resilient water resource management, the ministry, through the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), has implemented several key interventions to mainstream the use of SPAH across communities, government premises, and the private sector. Fadillah mentioned during an oral question-and-answer session in Dewan Negara that the ministry is actively working to harness rainwater as a viable supply source during the dry season, in response to a question from Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar.
Fadillah cited the NAHRIM Tank Software 2.0, developed in 2021, which provides online simulations to determine the optimal SPAH tank size and assess its storage efficiency and potential water savings. Additionally, he highlighted a master plan study conducted in 2017 for a Conjunctive Water Supply System in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur to identify the potential of alternative water sources in urban areas.
The initiative is further supported by a 2011 amendment to the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984, enacted by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, to implement SPAH in buildings, a measure subsequently adopted by 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. Fadillah noted that there are currently 16 physical SPAH projects at government and private premises, residences, and communities, including commercial buildings since 2001. These projects, featuring the installation of tanks, retention ponds, and IoT systems for monitoring, have benefitted over 1,000 consumers.
Research by NAHRIM indicates that the system has a direct impact on reducing urban flash flood risk and can save up to 30 percent of treated water usage with effective application. A study in Taman Wangsa Melawati demonstrated a reduction in peak rainwater flow or discharge by between 10 and 20 percent, while widespread adoption in the Sungai Damansara Basin could lower flooding by 35 to 50 percent, depending on storage capacity.
PETRA will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of SPAH through impact studies on pilot projects and consumer acceptance studies. Responding to a supplementary question from Rosni on potential subsidies or tax incentives, Fadillah mentioned discussions with the Ministry of Finance regarding such proposals. He emphasized that all new SPAH projects will include rainwater storage tanks intended for non-potable uses, such as watering plants and washing cars, contributing to flood prevention and reduced urban risk.