8:31 AM MYT ON Nov 12,2020, taps in 34,000 households in Kedah ran dry. However, the problem did not receive as much media coverage as the recent water cuts in the Klang Valley, which affected millions of households and businesses. If we don’t address the root causes of water disruptions, they could become a national problem. More often than not, river pollution is the cause. To resolve the issue once and for all, holistic solutions need to be implemented. The Selangor state government’s decision to increase the maximum fine on convicted polluters to RM1mil is indeed encouraging. However, the fine is too low considering the huge losses suffered by thousands of businesses and inconvenience caused to millions of users.