KUALA LUMPUR, 5 Feb 2009: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) objects to large-scale commercialisation of ground water extraction as it would affect water resources.
Fomca president Datuk N Marimuthu told Bernama that currently, there was a shortage of water sources to meet the needs of the growing population and such large scale extraction would further deplete the resources.
He said the extraction would cause the following impact:
# Reduction in river flow and surface water, including wetlands, lakes and springs;
# Destroy the ecosystem as living organism depending on ground water would be affected;
# Allow intrusion of sea water into soil, and;
# Create sinkholes due to increased soil instability.
Bernama understands that Sime Darby is planning commercial ground water extraction at its estate in Slim River.
Marimuthu pointed out that the high extraction would necessitate deeper bore holes which in turn, would cause the water table to be lowered.
“The lower the water table, the more difficult it would be for plants to survive as their roots cannot reach the water,” he said, hoping the government would closely monitor such activities for the future of its scarce water resources.
