Air Selangor Embraces AI to Improve Water Quality and Pollution Detection*
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) is exploring advanced water treatment technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance the monitoring, prediction, and detection of raw water quality from Selangor’s rivers before it reaches the state’s 34 water treatment plants.
Air Selangor’s chief executive officer, Adam Saffian Ghazali, explained that AI technology could identify and flag at-risk raw water sources up to 24 to 48 hours in advance, allowing for a more proactive response to water pollution.
“We are looking to either develop or procure AI solutions to monitor river water quality. Instead of reacting to pollution after it occurs, AI can help us predict raw water quality one to two days ahead,” Adam said during a press conference yesterday.
He emphasized Air Selangor’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies, including ultrafiltration, to ensure safer and higher-quality water for the public. According to Adam, traditional treatment methods such as clarification and filtration are no longer sufficient to meet current water quality needs.
“Water quality has changed over time. Where we used to rely on clarifiers or normal filters, newer technologies like ultrafiltration are becoming necessary,” he added. Additionally, Adam highlighted Air Selangor’s consideration of decentralised water treatment plants for areas where installing new pipelines is impractical. In some instances, up to 30 kilometres of pipeline installations are required to connect to existing reservoirs. For such areas, Air Selangor plans to use alternative technologies, including membrane systems, to improve water resource management.
In response to river pollution, Adam noted that the Selangor government is implementing the Raw Water Guarantee Scheme (SJAM) to coordinate comprehensive water management. This project, which focuses on Sungai Selangor—supplying water to the Sungai Selangor Water Treatment Plants Phases 1, 2, and 3—is expected to be completed by December.
As part of its ongoing initiatives, Air Selangor is also working to increase the rate of pipe replacements through its Pipe Replacement Programme. The company aims to replace 300 kilometres of aging pipes annually, improving water supply quality and reducing non-revenue water (NRW) for 9.3 million users across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya.
Adam revealed that of the 5,000 kilometres of old pipes awaiting replacement, over 1,000 kilometres have been replaced between 2016 and 2023. The entire pipeline network in Selangor spans approximately 30,000 kilometres.
