Securing nation’s water future
MALAYSIA is blessed with abundant water resources. However, the country’s water scenario is in a state of change.
Water resources management is becoming increasingly complicated due to larger concentrations of population, commercial activities and industries, increasing water demand and consumption, increasing water pollution, and the impact of climate change.
The challenge for the future is to ensure an adequate quantity and quality of water to meet human and ecological needs.
To address problems that are likely to emerge in the next 10 to 15 years, decision- makers will need to make informed choices between often conflicting and uncertain actions. These choices are best made with the full benefit of research and development.
For this purpose, the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia ( Nahrim) was established as a research institute to conduct experimental simulation and numerical hydrodynamic analysis as well as to study the relationship between ecological and morphological processes and human activities.
Nahrim operates as a government agency under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. Its functions, which are laid out in the Ministerial Function Act 1969, are to:
Conduct basic and applied research in hydraulic engineering, coastal engineering, water resources, hydrogeology, surface water and water quality for the public and private sectors
Provide specialised consultancy services to public and private sectors
Collaborate with local universities and research institutes in hydraulic engineering research
Function as Government advisors on matters relating to hydraulics
Act as the national centre for research in hydraulic engineering and become the coordinator of all such research in the country
Nahrim’s role as a national centre of excellence on water and environment management is to ensure sustainable growth and improve the quality of life and well- being of Malaysians.
It also aims to be one of the world’s premier research centres for water and its environment by 2030.
Facilities and services
Nahrim’s operations are driven by five research centres and two laboratories, and strengthened by three supporting divisions.
Nahrim actively carries out consultancy works for government and private sectors in:
Bio- chemical engineering – water quality for rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal areas
Hydraulic engineering – physical and numerical modelling for water infrastructure
To support the research and consultancy services, Nahrim’s Hydraulic and Instrumentation Laboratory ( known by its Bahasa Malaysia acronym MHI), launched in 2010, provides several facilities, including physical modelling.
Physical modelling is the most effective way of investigating fluid flows such as those around hydraulic structures.
These models are scaled down in terms of both geometry and important forces.
In 2010, Nahrim completed the physical modelling of the mangrove replanting initiative at the Haji Dorani River on Carey Island, Selangor.
Last year, Nahrim completed the physical modelling of the Belibis River flood mitigation project.
In 2013, MHI received the MS ISO9001: 2008 accreditation for physical modelling management in hydraulic engineering.
Nahrim’s Water Quality Laboratory ( known by its Bahasa Malaysia acronym MKA), which focuses on water quality research and development and testing, was launched in 2012.
MKA is expected to receive the MS ISO/ IEC 17025 certification for water quality testing and calibration this year.
Preparing for the future
Water issues are expected to increase in the future, especially the degree of water pollution.
Through its awareness campaigns and product innovation, Nahrim is addressing the various water issues in Malaysia and will continue to do so with further research and development.
For more information, visit www. nahrim. gov. my
The Research Centre for Coastal and Oceanography is responsible for conducting research and development in coastal engineering, marine and oceanography.
The Research Centre for Water Quality and Environment conducts research and development in the field of water quality and water treatment technology.
The Research Centre for Water Resources and Climate Change conducts research and development in the fields of water resources, hydrometeorology and climate change impact and adaptation.
The Research Centre for River Basin conducts research and development in the field of river and surface water hydraulics, and generally in environment conservation of rivers and river basins.
The Research Centre for Hydrogeology conducts research and development in the field of groundwater resources management.