COURSE: ECD 711 (SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT)

NO GROUP NAME MATRIC NO

1 MOHD RIDUAN BIN ABDUL WAHAB 2014616918

2 NIK ANIS ADLIN BIN ZAFRI 2014441944

3 FAIZULAZHAR BIN MADZLAN 2014674768

4 MOHD RIDZUAN BIN MOHD TAHIR 2014218774

5 NUR HUSSEIN BIN AZIZ 2014895194

TITLE : ASSIGNMENT NO 1 (WATER RATIONING IN SELANGOR 2014)

DATE : 30TH SEPTEMBER 2014

LECTURER : PROF SR.IR.DR. SUHAIMI ABDUL TALIB

CONTENT PAGE

1.0 Water Supply Industry ……………………………………………………………… .1

1.1 Alternative water supplies/resources………………………………………….2

2.0 Roles and Responsibilities …………………………………………………………...3

2.1 SPAN (National Water Services Commission)………………………………3

2.2 LUAS (Selangor Water Management Authority)………………………….. ..3

2.3 SYABAS (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd)………………………...4

3.0 Factors that contributed to the episode of water rationing……………………………5

4.0 Recommendation of three significant measures/changes for the State and Federal

Government incorporating technical, environment and financial sustainability…….8

4.1 Proposed of new dam to sustain the water supply in Selangor ………………..8

4.2 Proposed of utilizing the Wetland as an alternative main water supply in

Selangor…………………………………………………………………………8

4.3 Use a groundwater as alternative water supply in Selangor……………………11

5.0 Recommendation of KPI to measure the effectiveness of three significant measure

For the State and Federal Government incorporating technical , environment

and financial sustainability ……………………………………………………………..13

5.1 Construction of a new dam………………………………………………………13

5.2 Utilization of Wetland …………………………………………………………..14

5.3 Groundwater …………………………………………………………………….14

6.0 References…………………………………………………………………………….....16

1.0 Water Supply Industry

Malaysia, a country with a population of 29 million, is blessed with average

annual rainfall. Water resources in Malaysia are abundant and available throughout the

year. They are estimated at 580 km3/year (average 1977-2001), equivalent to more than

3,000 cubic meters per capita and year. In 1995, total water withdrawal was estimated at

12.5 km3, or less than 3 percent of available resources. 76 percent of water was used for

agriculture, 11 percent for municipal water supply and 13 percent for industries. Thus

only less than 1% of available water resources is used for drinking water supply.

Figure 1: Sungai Selangor River Basin

However, indicates of drought have been experienced in several states including

Selangor. Water shortage may also be due to the pollution of river that supply fresh

water. In recent case, Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat were contaminated by effluent

discharge from factories. Therefore we can see that water security can be affected by

quantity and quality as well as the increase in demand for domestic, industrial and

agriculture uses.

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1.1 Alternatives Water Supplies/Resources

A review of the National Water Resources Study (2000-2050), carried out by the

Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia in 2011, indicates there will be a marked

increase of more than 75% in water demand in the domestic and industrial sector. Factor

that contribute to this increase in demand include population rise, urbanization and

economic growth. A critical factor has to be tackled is the high water use per capita of

240 Liters per Person per Day (L/P/D) compared to Singapore’s 140 L/P/D.

To ensure there will be enough water for Selangor, alternative water resources

such as ground water and wetlands shall be implemented. Currently, 97% of water supply

comes from surface water collected in rivers, dams, ponds and lakes with the remaining

3% from ground water.

It is time to plan for an increased exploitation of alternative water resources. The

authorities should also give greater focus to water resources integrity by giving priority to

the protection of resources and catchment areas and strongly emphasizes that the security

and sustainability of water resources shall be made a State Government priority, to ensure

adequate and safe water for all.

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2.0 Roles and Responsibilities

The issue on water crisis in Selangor had recently caused a serious impact in

terms of productivity and lifestyle of consumers. To overcome the issue to be prolonged,

there are several official bodies in both public and private sectors that responsible for the

supply of drinking water in Selangor. The official bodies are responsible to ensure the

problems occurred during water crisis have been taken care of and on the same time the

sustainability incorporated with environment, society and economy have been

maintained. They are also responsible to find the solution and to prevent the water crisis

from recurring. Their roles and responsible are as following:

2.1 SPAN (National Water Services Commission)

SPAN is the authority to provide a sustainable, reliable and affordable water

services for the country. Besides, SPAN functions to regulate the water services

industry through fair, effective and transparent implementation of Water Services

Industry Act. Their responsible is to ensure long term availability and

sustainability of water supply including the conservation of water in Selangor

especially at the main dam, Sg. Selangor Dam. As the water level at Sg Selangor

Dam and other dams are tremendous declined into critical stage, SPAN has the

authority to increase the water supply in Sg. Selangor and approve the water

rationing plan for benefit of the consumer. The decision on the water rationing

plan has been approved to ensure long term availability and sustainability of water

supply during the crisis. In addition, SPAN is responsible to promote the

protection and preservation of water courses and water catchments, at the same

time to regulate the safety and security of water supply and sewerage systems.

2.2 LUAS (Selangor Water Management Authority)

Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) started from the Cabinet

Minister’s order in July 1997 which directed the Agricultural Ministry and

thereafter the Selangor State Government to set up an agency responsible in

managing river and water sources in an integrated manner to ensure the state’s

water resources including river basin, groundwater and surface water, lakes and

coastal area is protected. These functions and responsibilities are executed

through Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) and Integrated Coastal

Management (ICM) approaches. Most of the drinking water sources from four

main rivers that are Selangor River, Langat River, Klang River and Bernam

River. Besides, the consumers in Selangor have options to abstract water source

direct from the surface water and groundwater which needs approval from LUAS

because they are responsible in control on water source.

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2.3 SYABAS (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd)

SYABAS is an entity specifically incorporated for use as an implementation

vehicle in respect to the privatization of the water supply and distribution systems

in Selangor and Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. SYABAS

was appointed by the State and Federal Government as the concession company

to upgrade and enhance the water supply system and services in the State of

Selangor under the privatization concept in view of the previous management’s

financial constraint, ineffective management, poor water quality standard and

inconsistent supply of treated water. SYABAS is responsible for the distribution

of water services to over 7.8 million people via over 1.9 million consumer

accounts that include domestic consumers, factories , commercial and industrial

building in state of Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and

Putrajaya of which 85% are from the domestic consumers and 15% are

commercial consumers. SYABAS is committed to supplying uninterrupted

quality clean water to domestic, commercial and industrial consumers to ensure

better quality of life for all. Besides, SYABAS has continuously invest in

improving the facilities and services at the highest of standard while ensure the

quality of environment is preserved. Their commitment has shown during water

crisis in Selangor that created inconvenience the society and industry, SYABAS

has came out with water rationing plan based on observation of water capacity at

the dams as decided by Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) and

approved by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).The water

rationing plan has been divided into six zones including Gombak, Kuala Selangor,

Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Hulu Selangor, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala

Langat and USJ with proposed schedule of two days of water supply and two days

without water supply. This plan is to ensure the consumers have enough storage

of water supply daily.

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3.0 Factors that contributed to the episode of water rationing

Recently Selangor State implementing water rationing due to shortages of treated

water. There are many reasons related to water rationing in Selangor. It can be divided

into several categorizes that is politics Issues, climate changes, economy, attitude of

water consumers and several more. In the next paragraph we will look and discuss in

details the real causes of this problem that actually also faced by many others countries.

Many of these factors occurred in combination of each other’s.

In 1998, Klang Valley have encountered water crisis in February when the three

reservoir dams in Klang Valley, Klang Gates Dam, Batu Dam and Semenyih Dam

suffered a substantial drop in water level following the El Nino phenomenon. This

situation bring one of the worsen water crisis at that time and until 2014 the scenario

appeared again where it’s lead to water shortage following by water rationing in Selangor

State.

Climate changes are one of the factors involve in water crisis in Selangor. There

are many factors identified to cause and influence climate change. These factors could be

global, national and localized factors. Global warming, open burning (haze) are some of

the good examples of global factor that are trans-border in nature whilst industrialization,

clearing of land for agriculture, encroachment of fragile ecosystem are examples of

national and localized causal factors. The climate changes make some places receive

little rainfall due to long period of drought. This directly affected the water level reservoir

dam until it reach below their normal capacity despite cloud-seeding and rain. There are

seven dams supplying raw water to Klang Valley are affected by the drought.

But the major cause of the drought is the collapse of our water catchment system

due to logging and highland development. The government should take this responsible

when they allowing uncontrolled development when the environmental aspects not

considered properly at most development planning. Although, there are many rules

already being implemented but due to the poor in implementation of enforcement by

relevant authorities making this problem worst and expected will be repeated in the

coming years.

This make situation more worsen when the existing water treatment plant design

capacity already meet their maximum current capacity design and some of that are forced

to run exceeding their capacity. In the overloaded system, the pump house that serves to

channel water from the central water treatment plant to the tank or pond and tank services

balance has also been deployed day and night to meet the demand. Occurrence from

system damage in Wangsa Maju pump house resulting in a number of areas in Ulu

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Kelang and Ampang uninterrupted supply of raw water a few months ago as a result of

this problem.

Another factor is that Malaysians consumers’ attitude on their way in consuming

water also contributes to this kind of situation. As mentioned above, one of the worst

water shortages already occurred in 1998 where everyone had to rush for water every day

and even today many consumers still worried whenever there was a water supply

disruption even only a short period of time. As we can see, most of Malaysian’s people

not learned from that 1998 crisis. The way of consumers handling treated water still in

poor manner and unethical way. Instead of blaming others parties especially government,

they should take an action by consuming less treated water in other word only use for the

important things. This can be done in many ways for example in preferring to use the

machineries that applying technology that less use of water but the efficiency still same.

This type of mind set or attitude is a major reason contributing to the water shortage and

increasing the water demand every year. The water rationing can be avoided even at that

time are drought season. The reserve of water in several dams can be assume more than

enough if us taking precaution in the early time by changing our habits.

Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is indication of the loss of treated water in water

supply distribution network system. This is a common problem to the local authorities

that involving so much public money to overcome this kind of problem where at the same

time reducing the supply capacity to final costumers. If this situation can be handled

properly by doing a proper construction and maintenance, the effects of water shortages

can be minimize. The wastage could be divided into four categories that is management

of water resources, loss of treated water, consumption of treated water and reuse of waste

water. According to Citing Statistics from National Water Services Commission (SPAN),

the national NRW for 2012 was about 36.4%, meaning only 63.6% of treated water

reached consumer and generated revenue. The statement from S. Piarapakaran, president

of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER) said that if the

NRW can be reduce by one-third of the current rate in the next five years, this could add

12.1% of treated water to consumers without needing to build a new water treatment

plant. From this point of view, we can see that our country NRW indication value is very

high and we need to review our construction work quality and water management model

and system.

Others than above factors, the political issue between Selangor State and Federal

Government also contributing to prolong the water rationing in Selangor. The issue

started when the Selangor State under The Pakatan Rakyat continues to delay land

approval for the Langat 2 treatment plant to be built. The purposed of Langat 2 project is

to treat raw water resource from Pahang and later the treated water to be supply to

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Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until 2025. The former Selangor Menteri Besar,

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said, there is no need to rush to construct the Langat 2 due to

information from his consultant experts said there was enough water supply until 2019.

(Source: Enough water f or all in Selangor, KL: MB Khalid, The Star, 20 July 2010). The

former Selangor Menteri Besar also argued on the price of Langat 2 which cost about RM

9 Billion compare to its operation service where the drinking water will supply only 15

years to meet that year current demand. Eventually the last few months ago, the

understanding agreement had finally signed by both parties to proceed the construction of

Langat 2 project. The effects of water can be minimize if the dispute can be settled

earlier.

The final factors is our expertise especially in engineering field either from

private sector or government sector should stand firm to make them voice to be heard by

politician. This is very important to bring a warning to the government either federal or

state if they ignored all the sign or expertise view, problem will arise and bring harm not

only to our society but directly to our economy GDP due to most of industry dependent

on water supply to run their production.

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4.0 Recommend three significant measures/changes for the State and Federal

Government incorporating technical, environment and financial sustainability

There are three significant measures/changes are recommend to State and Federal

Government to ensure the recurrence water crisis in Selangor;

4.1 Proposed a new dam to sustain the water supply in Selangor

As record in, Selangor have seven (7) numbers of dams to distribute to Selangor

and Putrajaya where 17% distribute to domestic, 21% to industry (including

commercial) and 62% to agriculture. However, almost two-thirds of treated water

is consumed by the domestic sector. This is mainly because many industries and

agricultural activities draw water directly from nature for their use. Constructions

of more dams are suggested where technically it is storing water to cater the water

demand during dry season. Dams provide a range of economic, environmental,

and social benefits, including recreation, flood control, water supply, waste

management, river navigation and wildlife habitat. Incorporating to the technical,

environment and commercial, construction of new dams can be classifies as

below:

a. Technical – Construction of new dams are able to increase the storage of water

capacity and will be benefit for the future. Temperature of water, salt and

oxygen distribution may change vertically as a consequence of reservoir

formation. This may cause the generation of new living species in dam.

b. Environment – Even it will be affected to the flora and fauna due to large

capacity of dams, the proper guidelines by Department of Environment (DOE)

shall be followed to ensure the flora and fauna are being kept.

c. Commercial – Constructions of new dam also provide employment

opportunities both to engineer, site supervisor, consultant, contractors and also

to the surround community. It is enhanced empower on the economic.

4.2 Proposed of utilizing the Wetland as an alternative main water supply in

Selangor

Secondly, it is suggested to fully utilize the Wetland. As record, wetland in

Selangor is located at Kuala Selangor, Selangor. Wetlands contribute to the

national and local economies by producing resources, enabling recreational

activities and providing other benefits, such as pollution control and flood

protection. While it can be difficult to calculate the economic value provided by a

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single wetland, it is possible to evaluate the range of services provided by all

wetlands and assign a valuable asset.

Wetlands improve water quality in nearby rivers and streams, and thus have

considerable value as filters for future drinking water. When water enters a

wetland, it slows down and moves around wetland plants. Much of the suspended

sediment drops out and settles to the wetland floor. Plant roots and

microorganisms on plant stems and in the soil absorb excess nutrients in the water

from fertilizers, manure, leaking septic tanks and municipal sewage. While a

certain level of nutrients is necessary in water ecosystems, excess nutrients can

cause algae growth that’s harmful to fish and other aquatic life. A wetland’s

natural filtration process can remove excess nutrients before water leaves a

wetland, making it healthier for drinking, swimming and supporting plants and

animals. Incorporating to the technical, environment and commercial, the

utilization of wetlands as an alternative water resource can be classifies as below:

a. Technical -

Flood Control

Wetlands can play a role in reducing the frequency and intensity of floods by

acting as natural buffers, soaking up and storing a significant amount of

floodwater. A wetland can typically store about three-acre feet of water, or one

million gallons. An acre-foot is one acre of land, about three-quarters the size of a

football field, covered one foot deep in water. Three acre-feet describes the same

area of land covered by three feet of water. Coastal wetlands serve as storm surge

protectors when hurricanes or tropical storms come ashore. After peak flood flows

have passed, wetlands slowly release the stored waters, reducing property damage

downstream or inland.

Cleaning the Water

Because natural wetlands are so effective at removing pollutants from water that

flows through them, engineers and scientists construct systems that replicate some

of the functions of natural wetlands. These constructed treatment wetlands use

natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils and their associated

microbial life to improve water quality. They are often less expensive to build

than traditional wastewater and stormwater treatment options, have low operating

and maintenance expenses and can handle fluctuating water levels. A preliminary

study suggested that a constructed wetland system would sufficiently clean the

discharge water while supporting high-quality wetland habitat for birds, including

endangered species, and protecting downstream residents from flooding. All these

benefits would be achieved at a lower cost than retrofitting the existing treatment

plant.

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Fisheries

Wetlands provide an essential link in the life cycle of 75 percent of the fish and

shellfish commercially harvested and up to 90 percent of the recreational fish

catch. Wetlands provide a consistent food supply, shelter and nursery grounds for

both marine and freshwater species.

Recreation

Wetlands are often inviting places for popular recreational activities including

hiking, fishing, bird watching, photography and hunting.

b. Environments – Wildlife Habitat

Diverse species of mammals, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish

rely on wetlands for food, habitat or shelter. Wetlands are some of the most

biologically productive natural ecosystems in the world, comparable to tropical

rain forests or coral reefs in the number and variety of species they support. Some

species must have a wetland in order to reproduce. Migrating waterfowl rely on

wetlands for resting, eating and breeding areas, leading to increased populations.

As noted, the appeal of wetlands and the diversity of plant and animal life they

attract contribute to or support many businesses.

c. Commercial

Many industries, in addition to the fishing industry, derive benefits or produce

products dependent on wetlands. Part of this economic value lies in the variety

of commercial products they provide, such as food and energy sources. Rice can

be grown in a wetland during part of the year, and the same area can serve as a

wildlife habitat for the rest of the year. Some wetland plant species, such as wild

rice and various seeds can be harvested for or used to produce specialty foods,

medicines, cosmetics and decorative items. In many coastal and river delta

wetlands, haying of wetland vegetation is important to livestock producers.

Wetlands also provide employment opportunities, including such positions as

surveyor or park ranger. The production of raw materials from wetlands

provides jobs to those employed in the commercial fishing, specialty food and

cosmetic industries.

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4.3 Use a groundwater as an alternative water supply in Selangor

Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand

and rock. Groundwater flows beneath the earth surface through layers of

permeable rock or also known as aquifers. Aquifers can be a valuable water

resource as they store water that infiltrates through the ground surface. Aquifers

are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone, or fractured rock, like limestone.

Water can move through these materials because they have large connected

spaces that make them permeable. The speed at which groundwater flow is

depends on the size of the spaces in the soil or rock and how well the spaces are

connected. Groundwater makes up around 23% of the earth’s fresh water, making

it a valuable water supply. Use of groundwater needs to be carefully managed as

aquifers not only store water but supply water to sensitive ecosystems such as

wetlands, swamps, estuaries and coastal vegetation. Figure 2 show the

groundwater beneath the earth surface.

Figure 2: Groundwater beneath the earth surface

Groundwater can be collected by pumping it from aquifer, filter it and stores it in

underground tanks. It can be use for garden, irrigation and also can be used as

drinking water as well as for storage and other purpose. Groundwater is often

cheaper, more convenient and less vulnerable to pollution than surface water.

Therefore, it is commonly used for public water supplies.

Even though groundwater is one of the alternative to prevent water rationing,

sustainability management of groundwater should be apply incorporating

technical, environmental and financial. It is because groundwater is not a non-

renewable resource, such as a mineral or petroleum deposit, nor is it completely

renewable in the same manner and time frame as solar energy. Excessive of

pumping groundwater may lead to depletion of groundwater storage, reductions in

stream flow, potential loss of wetland, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and

changes in ground-water quality.

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Groundwater system is equal. The amount of water entering or recharging the

system of groundwater is approximately equal to the amount of water leaving or

discharging from the system (as illustrated in Figure 3). To avoid of increasing of

discharge, high capacity well can be introduce to ensure that groundwater levels

in the system are maintained high enough to allow for pumping. High capacity

wells is easy to construct and less of maintenance.

Figure 3: Diagram show illustrating that inflow is equal to outflow.

To measure, computer simulations model can be use for analyzing inflow and

outflow of groundwater systems in the evaluation of alternative approaches to

groundwater development and management. Simulations also can aid to

estimating water availability and the effects of extracting water on the

groundwater system.

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5.0 Recommend KPI to measure the effectiveness of three significant measures/changes

for the State and Federal Government incorporating technical, environment and

financial sustainability

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is functionally measured the effectiveness of

measure/changes (construction a new dam, utilization of wetland and groundwater)

that should be taken to prevent water rationing from recurring. The importance of KPI is

to provide feedback on the important areas of operations. To achieve, there are few steps

to determine KPI such as identifying the expected result, identify the progress and

determine the percentage of changes.

5.1 Construction of a new dam

As cleared in Item 4.0, the dams are function to storage the water at all times. However,

due to un-circumstances such a dry season, definitely the level of water will be decrease.

As such with the construction new dam, the level of water storage to be maintained at

least 80% at all times to ensure the recurrence of water crisis. There will be changes on

water quality in the dams due to human activities etc. The maintenance and proper

safeguard are to determine to prevent any pollution to water storage. The water quality at

least between 6.5 < pH < 9.5 are ensure the water quality are standard and safe.

Construction of new dams will give impact in all aspects especially to the environment.

The minimal impact to flora and fauna will give better key performance indicator in

constructions of dams. The guideline as Department of Environment (DOE) authority

shall be followed and proper Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) to be prepared.

The recommend Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in summary to measure the

effectiveness on the new constructions of dams are tabulated as below;

Criteria KPI KPI Achieved

i) Dams function as raw water supply Level of storage capacity

ii) Water Quality 6.5 < pH < 9.5

iii) Construction of Dams Minimal impact to flora

and fauna

Table 1: KPI for construction of new dams

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5.2 Utilization of Wetland

Wetland is functionally an alternative to storage the water. The catchment area of water

to storage and maintained at all times will be affected to the performance of the wetland.

As such with utilization of wetland as water storage before it is treated at water treatment

plant have to be maintained at least 80% at all times to ensure the recurrence of water

crisis. There will be changes on water quality in the dams due to human activities etc.

The maintenance and proper safeguard are to determine to prevent any pollution to water

storage. The water quality at least between 6.5 < pH < 9.5 are ensure the water quality are

standard and safe. Wetland might also be able to be used for recreation and other human

activities. The maintenance to reduce any pollution and to make sure any impact of flora

and fauna will be give better performance to the wetland as water storage.

The recommend Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in summary to measure the

effectiveness on wetland are tabulated as below;

Criteria KPI KPI Achieved

i) Wetland function as raw water supply Catchment area of water

ii) Wetland water quality 6.5<pH<9.5

iii) Wetland Pollution Minimal impact of flora

and fauna

Table 2: KPI for fully utilized of wetland

5.3 Groundwater

As discussed in Item No. 4, system of groundwater is equal. The amount of water

entering or recharging the system of groundwater is approximately equal to the amount of

water leaving or discharging from the system. With introducing a high capacity of well

the groundwater performance will give better indicator as water storage. There will be

changes on water quality in the dams due to human activities etc. The maintenance and

proper safeguard are to determine to prevent any pollution to water storage. The water

quality at least between 6.5 < pH < 9.5 are ensure the water quality are standard and safe.

With the depletion less than 5% at any times, the groundwater shall be considered as

water sources.

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The recommended Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in summary to intend the measure

of effectiveness on groundwater is tabulated as below;

Table 3: KPI of groundwater

Criteria KPI KPI Achieved

i) Groundwater system inflow=outflow

ii) Water Quality 6.5 < pH < 9.5

iii) Water Depletion less than 5%

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6.0 References

1. http://www.syabas.com.my/

2. http://www.luas.gov.my/

3. http://www.span.gov.my/

4. http://says.com/my/news/selangor-to-go-on-water-rationing-due-to-dry-weather-

february-2014

5. Alley, William M., Thomas E. Reilly, and O. Lehn Frank. 1999. Sustainability of

ground-water resources. U.S. Geological Survey Circular.

6. http://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/environment/water_and_coast/our_projects/waverley_a

nd_barracluff_park_groundwater_harvesting_system

7. http://www.groundwater.org/get-informed/groundwater/contamination.html

8. http://groundwater.sdsu.edu/groundwater_utilization_and_sustainability.html#yield

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