Kajian Perbandingan Antara Realiti dengan Persepsi Mengenai Kualiti Bekalan Air di Kelantan

Comparison Between Reality and Perception of Water Supply Quality in Kelantan

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to proven whether or not the perception that “Kelantan has the dirtiest” water supply by means of comparative analysis between reality and perceived view about the quality of water supply in Kelantan. Data required for this study were primary and secondary data. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data and a survey involving 400 respondents was conducted among consumers who get their water supply from Air Kelantan Sendirian Berhad (AKSB). Z statistic was used to identify the consumers’ perception. Secondary data from print media were analyzed using content analysis to identify the perceptions that had been painted by the media to the people of Kelantan. In addition, records of samples water supply of the states in Malaysia that did not comply with the standards were analyzed by comparing Kelantan’s non-compliance with those of other states. The results showed that the media-generated perception that Kelantan has the dirtiest water supply due to E.coli and heavy metals contamination was false and misleading. Z statistic analysis supported the results which showed consumers perception was positive such as water supplied is clean and water quality is good. This study also cleared the doubt in terms of water supply non-compliance in that Kelantan’s sample percentage was comparable to other states’. However, the people’s perception of dirty water supply in Kelantan because of high NTU reading was found to be true. Therefore, AKSB should take initiative to improve the quality of water supplied such as upgrading water treatment plants, improving water quality to comply with the Ministry of Health (MOH) standards and upgrade the pipe network system.