Approval in Two Weeks
by Salina Khalid, The Star Online - Metro, 29-May-2007
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.
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.