Johor plans self-reliance in treated water by 2030

Johor's government has announced a five-year plan to build three new reservoirs and water treatment plants, aiming for self-sufficiency in treated water by 2030. This plan, costing over RM5 billion, seeks to reduce reliance on Singapore for water. Analysts describe the timeline as ambitious, noting that constructing reservoirs typically takes around eight years. Johor currently imports 16 million gallons of treated water daily from Singapore, significantly more than the 5 million gallons it is entitled to under a 1962 agreement. The expansion of Johor's data center industry, which requires substantial water, adds pressure to the state's water supply. Experts emphasize the need for careful management of water resources to ensure both residential needs and industrial growth are met sustainably.