KLIA’s New State-of-the-art Water Treatment Plant Enhances Sustainable Operations

Malaysia Airports is taking yet another step towards sustainable airport operations with a state-of-the-art water treatment facility at KL International Airport (KLIA). Developed as part of the organisation’s Environmental Roadmap, this initiative highlights its dedication to responsible water management, flood prevention and ecological conservation. 

The KLIA water treatment plant features a vertical compact system, reducing land usage by 50% compared to traditional designs. It is equipped with advanced purification technology and processes up to 10 million liters of water per day (MLD), ensuring KLIA has an eco-friendly water source to support its operations.

This project is driven by Malaysia Airports’ Recycling Rainwater Harvested from KLIA Catchment Area Initiative, covering 200 acres with a depth of 1.5 metres and a total capacity of 3,000 litres. The rainwater collection system is a dual-purpose powerhouse, supplying the treatment facility and serving as a flood mitigation measure. The impact goes beyond KLIA, providing major benefits to nearby communities and the Southern Balancing Pond area. Through efficient resource management, Malaysia Airports reduces energy use related to distribution and promotes long-term sustainability. 

The cutting-edge treatment plant further strengthens KLIA’s environmental leadership under Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme. Holding a Level 3 Optimisation status, KLIA is part of a global network of over 600 airports progressing toward net-zero carbon emissions through ACI’s structured 7-level carbon management framework. 

This latest facility strengthens the airport’s commitment to sustainability, supporting Malaysia Airports’ efforts to enhance environmental management and resilience.