SYNOPSIS

Rain is the key element in the water cycle, which is vital to all life on Earth. Rainfall is the main way that the water in the skies comes down to Malaysia, where it fills our lakes and rivers, recharges the groundwater bodies or aquifers, and provides drinks to us as well as plants and animals. Due to the high annual rainfall in Malaysia which is in excess of 2,500 mm, surface water is high on the national agenda for socio-economic development. To enhance water security, we are moving from the construction of dams in the upper river reaches to the construction off-river storages in the lower river reaches. On the other hand, Singapore is moving towards self-sufficiency in water resources by exploring the fifth tap after the existing four taps namely, local water, imported water, desalinated water and recycled water. The fifth tap is groundwater. Groundwater has been used since ancient time in Malaysia through dug wells and springs. Dependency solely on surface water for our needs, is unsustainable. We need to develop groundwater to enhance water security including mitigating the impacts of climate change on our water sector. The first step towards sustainable groundwater development is comprehensive feasibility study that include geophysical activities, exploratory drillings, construction of test wells, pumping tests and water quality analysis as well as computer modelling. After confirming the yield and water quality, production wells would be designed and constructed. Scheduled well maintenance need to be in place to avoid well failures besides sustaining well efficiency. The success of sustainable use of groundwater in Malaysia depends on the political will and the competency of the groundwater players.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Datuk Ir. P.Geol Dr. Azuhan Bin Mohamed joined the public service in 1981 as a civil engineer in the Groundwater Unit, Drainage & Irrigation Department (DID) Research Station. He later joined the Irrigation Division and Corporate Development Division, DID Headquarters.He was registered as a Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia in 1986. He was also registered as a Professional Geologist with the Board of Geologists, Malaysia in 2017. He was awarded as a Certified Groundwater Professional (CGWP) by the Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers, which is based in Ohio, USA, in 1992. He is the first CGWP in South East Asia and the third in Asia (after the Koreans).

He was seconded to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Prime Minister’s Department from 2001 to 2006. He was then seconded to various agencies and private companies, namely Prokhas Sdn. Bhd. Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad, Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara and Sime Darby Berhad as well as contractor (Prima Utilities Sdn. Bhd.), and an engineering and environmental consultant – Erinco Sdn. Bhd.). He returned to the DID Headquarters in 2014 and was attached to the Coastal Zone Management Division. In February 2015, he was seconded to the Prime Minister’s Department for a second time, where he was attached to the Post Flood Recovery Unit. In October 2015, he was absorbed into the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). On 20 June 2016, he was seconded to the National Hydraulics Research Institute Malaysia (NAHRIM) as its fifth Director General and retired from public service in July 2018. In June 2019, he was appointed as the General Manager of Air Kelantan Sdn. Bhd. (AKSB), the public water supply operator in Kelantan. He is currently into his third yearly contract with AKSB.

His academic and professional qualifications cut across engineering and earth sciences. His work experience covers all sectors – public and private, contractors and consultants as well as regulatory body. His experience in the water sector covers both surface water and groundwater as well as coastal waters besides managing water for people and water for food. He was a Principal Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where he also serves on the advisory boards for the faculty and the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI). In addition, he was a member of the Research Advisory Council for the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB).