and constructing trench treatment facilities in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Department of Environment, and (3) building centralised and mechanised treatment facilities in areas with high population density. In addition, IWK has developed a database of the houses connected to a septic tank and started scheduled desludging by geographic area. Besides that, IWK has also made efforts for the residents to understand the importance of sanitation, raise awareness on good practices, the acceptance of desludging, and sewerage charge payment. • Regulations • WSIA Act 2006 In 2006, the Parliament approved WSIA 2006 as a new law and the establishment of SPAN as a regulatory body for the water supply and sewerage sector. In 2008, the WSIA came into effect and the Commission started operations. For sewerage, SSD transfered its regulatory function to SPAN. SSD as a project implementation agency (managing funding for facility construction/ renewal), SPAN regulates and IWK manages the public sewerage facilities. The national policy objectives for the water supply and sewerage services industry were developed. The outline is as follows:
i. To establish a transparent and integrated structure for water supply and sewerage services that delivers effective and efficient services to consumers; ii. To ensure long-term availability and sustainability of water supply including the conservation of water;
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Study on the Current Issues and Needs for Water Supply and Wastewater Management in Malaysia
iii. To contribute to the sustainability of water courses and water catchments; iv. To facilitate the development of competition to promote economy and efficiency in the water services industry; v. To establish a regulatory environment which facilitates financial selfsustainability amongst the operators in water services industry in the long term; vi. To regulate for the long-term benefit of the consumers; vii. To regulate tariff and ensure the provision of affordable water services on an equitable basis; viii. To improve the quality of life and environment through effective and efficient management of water services; ix. To establish an effective system accountability and governance between operators in water services industry; and x. To regulate the safety and security of water service systems. • Environmental Quality Act, 1974 EQA, 1974 is the legislation that is related to the prevention, abatement, control of pollution and enhancement of the environment in Malaysia. The Act restricts the discharge of waste into the environment in contravention of the acceptable conditions. To date, 38 sets of Regulations and Orders have been introduced and enforced. The Director General of Environment has been appointed by the Minister to administer this Act and any regulations and orders made there under.