Selangor Water Crisis: Your Survival Guide

Selangor residents woke up to more frustrating news yesterday because another water disruption arrived for the third time in the past few weeks.

The Sungai Semenyih treatment plant was shut down again due to pollution believed to have originated from the Nilai Industrial Park, affecting up to 456 locations in Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

Over 1.6 million people would have to depend on relief water for an unspecified period. Tankers will be delivered to the affected areas as well as critical locations like hospitals and dialysis centres.

According to Kumpulan Air Selangor Corporate Communication Department chief Amin Lin Abdullah, they have no choice but to wait until the odour pollution clears because there are no other alternatives for raw water supply.

So if you can’t stop water pollution or simply continue using the diminishing supply in our water tanks, and the authorities can’t seem to tell you when the water supply will return, what do you do?

We came up with a few solutions that could help you overcome your water crisis:

Use dry shampoo

The inability to shower is a big issue when facing water disruption. Don’t worry because dry shampoo is here to rescue! Dry shampoo basically contains a powdery substance that helps you clean your dirty strands by soaking up the oil in your hair and scalp. You don’t even need water to rinse it off. All you have to do is spray the product into your scalp, give it a good scrunch, and you’ll be blessed with a full head of clean, voluminous hair once again. If you don’t own dry shampoo, you can also use baby powder, baking soda or flour. Now no one will be able to tell that you didn’t wash your hair that day.

Use wet wipes

Are you one of those people everybody turns to for important supplies like hand sanitisers, tissue paper, or wet wipes? If that’s the case, your friends may turn to you more often in times like this! Wet wipes can come in very handy because you can use them to clean your hands, wipe the table, remove spills on the floor, and so on. You can also use facial wipes to remove your makeup and clean your face at the end of the day. So stop relying on someone else for your supply of wet wipes and start carrying your own! You never know when you might need them someday.

Stock up on instant food

You enter the kitchen and your plans to whip up a gourmet cuisine go down the drain when you turn on the tap and all you get is tiny droplets. This is when you start stocking up on all your favourite instant noodles, porridge, rice, oats, etc. Those that come in a cup form would be a bonus because you don’t have to stress about having to wash the cutleries after your meal. Just boil a few bottles of mineral water and start 'cooking'!

Use paper and plastic cutleries

Speaking of cutleries, we’re pretty sure you’ve got paper, plastic or polystyrene plates, cups, bowls, forks and spoons hidden somewhere in your kitchen cupboards. This is the perfect time to use them because you can just throw them away after using. Plus, they’re recyclable! Just wipe them down as much as you can and toss them into your recycling bag.

Free car wash in the rain

You know how the weather loves playing tricks on you by giving you a heavy downpour right after you wash your car? Take advantage of Malaysia’s wonderful tropical weather during a water crisis! If you’re the type of person who can’t go a week without washing your car, keep an eye out for rain. When you spot dark clouds coming, whether you’re at home or at work, park your car outdoors and get a free car wash, and you won’t have to curse the skies again.

Fill up toilet tank

You’re suffering the aftermath of last night’s extremely delicious but extremely spicy chilli pan mee. You step into the bathroom ready to release, but you’re reminded of the fact that you can’t flush. The horror of not being able to go when you NEED TO GO. What do you do? Don’t panic. You must have stored a few bottles or pails of water in the house. Lift up the lid of your toilet tank and pour some water in sparingly. Do it right and you should be able to flush your misery away.

Pile up laundry

We know, we know. Mama told you not to let your laundry pile up and wait till the last minute. But you can’t send your dirty clothes to your neighbourhood dobi either when everyone is affected by a water crisis. So this is the perfect time for you to proscrastinate doing your laundry. Collect a few days' worth of dirty clothes before tossing them into the wash. Running a full-load helps you make full use of the water. Here’s to not doing chores for a few days! (Don’t tell your mom we said that.)

We hope these stress-free methods would help you during this crisis!

Meanwhile, for the latest updates on the water disruption, visit www.syabas.com.my, Air Selangor’s Facebook page, or download the ‘mySYABAS’ mobile phone application.