Malaysia plans to require many buildings throughout the country with large roofs to install gutters and tanks so that they can harvest rainwater, news reports said Wednesday.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia plans to require many buildings throughout the country with large roofs to install gutters and tanks so that they can harvest rainwater, news reports said Wednesday.
Under the plan, the harvested water would be used for washing cars, flushing toilets, watering plants, while saving treated water for drinking, cooking and showering.
"It's a sheer waste for treated water to be used to wash cars or water plants," the New Straits Times quoted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying. "When we use treated water for such chores our water bills increase and we are the ones who will lose out."
Malaysian authorities say consumers waste too much water and that supplies in the country's main city, Kuala Lumpur, are expected to run short within the next decade.
The new rules would apply to bigger buildings such as university campuses and factories, The Star and the New Straits Times newspapers reported. Small buildings and low-cost homes would be exempt, Abdullah was quoted as saying.
It was not clear from the reports when the new rules, being drawn up by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, would go into effect.
Officials at the ministry could not immediately be reached for comment. One of Abdullah's aides, Esuriyanti Ahmad, confirmed the reports by telephone but was unable to provide further details.
Source: Associated Press
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