KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 8): The capital city will be starting a self-governing water storage management involving rainwater harvesting and digital water solution for long term water security, at a cost of RM2.4 billion.

ASI Air Simpanan Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Wan Abdul Halim Abdul Majid said the initiative will ultimately eliminate water shortages, contamination, mitigate flood and sustain supply of water in Kuala Lumpur. ASI Air Simpanan has been commissioned to undertake the implementation of the digital water solution.

"The whole project will cost about RM2.4 billion (to develop). We will build 1,200 tubes in the various areas in the city," he told a press briefing ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony of a self-governing water storage ceremony here today.

The 1,200 tubes on average are 45m to 60m in depth, which can store up to 859,200 cu m of water.

ASI Air Simpanan will be the contractor to the government of the pilot project (Phase 1) to build the system. It is expecting to sign a water concession agreement with the government for a period of 25 years upon the establishment of the Federal Water Bill, which is expected to be approved by March next year.

The first phase of water storage controlling system will see the construction of 20 tube wells to be built at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa for harvesting rainwater, storm water and treated waste water, and thereafter supply the raw water to various industrial players located in Sg Besi, Kepong, Cheras Ampang and other industrial areas in Kuala Lumpur.