Approval in two weeks
29/05/2007 By Salina Khalid
Individual meters given if all terms met.
MANAGEMENT Corporations (MCs) of high-rise residential properties in
Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya can now submit applications for
migration from bulk water meters to individual meters.
Adopting individual metering will enable residents to enjoy lower water
rates.
»It means those who use more water will have to pay more« DATUK ABDUL FATAH
ISKANDAR
The MCs have to submit the applications on behalf of the individual
residents to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas), the company that
supplies water to the Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya consumers.
“They can submit the applications now and approval will be given according
to the terms and conditions included in the new guidelines for migration
from bulk water meter to individual meter.
“If all the conditions are met, then they can get their approval within two
weeks,” the Selangor State Infrastructure and Public Utilities committee
chairman Datuk Abdul Fatah Iskandar said, adding that applications from
individual residents would not be entertained.
Changing to individual water meter will allow flats, apartments and
condominiums owners to pay only 57sen per cubic metre instead of RM1.38 per
cubic metre for apartments and condominiums and 80sen per cubic metre for
low-cost flats.
They will also be charged a minimum of RM6 per month instead of the current
RM35 under the bulk metering system and will be billed according to their
individual water consumption.
Under the individual meter rate, the consumers will be charged RM1.30 for
usage above 20 cubic metre and RM2 per cubic metre for consumption above 35
cubic metre.
It would also mean residents will no longer have to worry about water cuts
resulting from the management companies' failure to settle their bills.
Currently, Syabas issues bulk meters to the management companies for
high-rise units and the companies then install their own meters for the
individual units and charge the unit owners accordingly.
“The MCs have to settle all their bills and close their existing account so
that they can start the new account (individual metering). Both the MCs and
residents have to work together in solving their outstanding debts so that
the individual meters can be issued,” Fatah said.
Those staying at government quarters could apply though the registered
government agencies and those staying at estates could do so through the
factory or estate owners.
Fatah was speaking after the briefing session on the newly released
guidelines for migration to individual meter for high-rise residential units
at Selangor State Secretariat Building yesterday.
About 200 from resident associations, developers, management corporations
and Local Authorities' representatives attended the briefing session.
Also at the event were Selangor Water Monitoring Department deputy director
(technical) Nik Nasim Nik Ismail and Syabas executive director Thien Kwee
Sim.
The guidelines for migration from bulk water meter accounts to individual
meter for high-rise residential units is published by the Selangor Water
Monitoring Department (JKAS) at Level 5, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
Building in Shah Alam. |