Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: Fresh water resource is diminishing as we speak and Malaysia is well aware that without immediate responsive actions, the country will be in major shortage of such resources soon.

     Meeting information requirements: Malaysia is aiming to develop a long-term sustainable water resource development and management plan. In order to do so, water resource assessment must be conducted.

Background in summary:

     Growing water shortage concern: Kuala Lumpur, like other States in Malaysia, remains concerned over a possible water shortage in the near future in view of unevenly distributed rainfall and growing pressure on water supplies for domestic and industrial purposes. To overcome the problem in Kuala Lumpur, interbasin or interstate water transfers are expected to become an increasingly common feature of water resources development planning.

     Plans for development and management of water resources: Under the Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000) a new national study will be undertaken to identify potential water resources, carry out feasibility studies of water resources development projects and formulate a long-term national master plan with an integrated approach to the development and management of those resources.

     Studies are conducted on water resources assessment: The study will assess the quality and quantity of water in all States, including Kuala Lumpur, for domestic, industrial, irrigation, hydropower and other uses for the years 2000 to 2050. The results of the study are expected to enable the government to plan an overall priority programme for phased development of the recommended water resources projects.

     Ensuring sustainable water resources management: In addition, under the Seventh Malaysia Plan, a continuing effort is being made to ensure that the development of water supplies is sustainable and balanced. For Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, two programmes with a capital investment cost of M$ 560 million have been proposed.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
3	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	3	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		-	Participation of the community
3	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	2	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
3	Level of development adaptability.	2	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	-	Ability to attract political interest/support
3	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	-	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:   Sustainability of the project:      Awareness and visions: It has become globally recognized that the world is running short of fresh water resources, even though water is considered renewable. This is not only due to the discharge of industrial and household pollution into water bodies causing it to be inconsumable, but also, due to deforestation and climate change. Climate change has resulted in unpredictable rainfall patterns and water scarcity is extreme when rainfall is low in a particular year. Also, because of deforestation, forest coverage area that acts as a giant sponge to absorb rainfall is reducing dramatically, resulting in floods during heavy rainfall and water scarcity during low rainfall.      Therefore, to solve the problem of water resources scarcity is not only to manage fresh water bodies, but also to increase forest coverage area by reforestation and control the release of substances that create global warming into the atmosphere. Adaptability of the project to other situations:   Process of decision making and implementation:   Cost efficiency:      Meeting information requirements: Water resources assessment is a necessary prerequisite for planning sustainable management and development of water resources. However, this process is time consuming and expensive. That is why, in some countries, like Australia, schools and communities have been brought into the data gathering process in order to reduce cost. For more details see Australia Streamwatch Programme.