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2017, the overall status of rural water supply coverage is at 96.38 per cent which represents 1,475,516
rural houses (Table 15).

• SANITARY LATRINES
Initiated together with Rural Water Supply, the target for the programme is that each household in rural
areas would be equipped with one sanitary latrine. The most effective and cheapest method for disposal
of excreta in rural areas is by using pour-flush latrines. Population densities, soil conditions, cultural habits,
depth of water table and the availability of water for flushing are the main criteria considered when providing
this system to the rural population. The systems given to these people should eliminate odours, flies and
generally provides a more aesthetic environment.

The construction of sanitary latrines also provides the means to initiate the effort to educate rural people
on the use of proper and hygienic method for disposal of excreta. In 2017, MoH has constructed a total
number of 190 pour flush latrines. The small number of pour flush latrines constructed was mainly due
to the limited development fund available for sanitation projects. The coverage of sanitary latrines at
the end of 2017 was at 95.79 per cent that represents 1,466,358 rural houses (Table 16).

• SULLAGE AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
Although the coverage for rural water supply and sanitary latrines is still high on the government’s agenda
for many years to come, priority has also been given to proper management of sullage and solid waste
in rural areas so that the disposal of such wastes can be carried out in a sanitary manner. In 2017, a
total number of 2 sullage disposal systems (SPAL) and 8 solid waste disposal systems (SPSP) were
constructed. Due to unavailability of development fund for sanitation projects, a small number of SPAL
and SPSP were constructed by using stocks from previous year. Started only in 1997, the addition of
these systems manages to contribute to the total household coverage of sullage disposal systems and
solid waste disposal systems of 69.45 per cent (1,063,221) and 73.29 per cent (1,121,930) respectively
(Table 16).

• NATIONAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME (NDWQSP)
Guidelines for the implementation of an effective, systematic and comprehensive National Drinking Water
Quality Surveillance Programme (NDWQSP) were formulated with the co-operation of agencies such as
World Health Organization (WHO), Public Works Department, Department of Chemistry and Department
of Environment in early 1980’s. These guidelines were the foundation for the launching of the NDWQSP
in 1983.

The principal objective of NDWQSP is to enhance public health standard by ensuring the safety and
acceptability of the drinking water provided to the consumer by reducing the incidence of water borne
diseases or other effects associated with poor public water supplies through effective surveillance. This
programme ensures that public health and water work personnel will be alerted in time if the quality of
drinking water is deteriorating. This will enable them to take preventive or remedial measures before any
major outbreak of disease or poisoning can occur.

The NDWQSP which has been adopted by all states since 1986 provides a mechanism towards improving
drinking water quality through five (5) elements of the programme, i.e., monitoring, sanitary survey, data
processing and evaluation, remedial action and institutional examination. Since the implementation of
the programme, the drinking water quality in the country has generally improved and the current status
of drinking water can be readily assessed.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017 347