KUCHING: Sarawak plans to develop a single utility bill for water and electricity to improve service delivery through digitalisation.

       State Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the relevant implementing agencies were currently planning the one utility bill system.

       "This system will integrate the process of meter reading and billing by water and electricity agencies, which will then be merged into one bill to be delivered to customers.

       "Bill payment can be made online or through ePayment facilities like S Pay Global and Service Sarawak," he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (May 24).

       Julaihi also said his ministry was considering the introduction of a water conservation surcharge for monthly consumption exceeding 35,000 litres per household.

       He said the average domestic water consumption in Sarawak was 270 litres daily per person in urban areas, equivalent to 32,400 litres a month for a household of four.

       In rural areas, water consumption averaged 160 litres daily per person or 19,200 litres a month per household.

       "The implementation of a water conservation surcharge will educate the public to use water wisely.

       "This is in line with our target to reduce water consumption to 165 litres daily per person," Julaihi said.