THERE is no need to be alarmed over the 96-hour water cut in Penang next month, with 590,000 consumers likely to be affected from January 10 to 14, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said.
He said of the scheduled four days, the actual maintenance work will only cover 24 hours on the first day.
“The remaining 72 hours is about the gradual restoring of supply to the households,” he said.
“We expect that the majority of the consumers would get water back within 48 hours. What we are citing is that the water disruption may take up to 96 hours only.”
The reason is also because some households are located in upstream locations where supply may take a longer time to return.
Another factor is the need to reduce air locks – spaces in pipes with excess air that restrict water flow – which may accumulate when water supply is stopped.
Zairil told a press conference today that Penang has adopted necessary contingency plans as the disruption is unavoidable.
“But it (maintenance work) is best done now to prevent future complications.”
Among the measures to be undertaken is the full deployment of water tankers, including those sourced from the National Water Services Commission.
The tankers will also come from the state Fire and Rescue Department, the city councils on both the island and mainland, civil society groups, and volunteer fire groups.
Critical services such as hospitals will continue to receive water, he assured.
Zairil encouraged commercial buildings, such as hotels and factories, to store more water and also conserve the precious commodity.
High-rise residences are encouraged to do likewise, he added.
Penang Water Services Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the major overhaul works will be the first in 30 years. The engineers will be working round the clock to upgrade two major valves.
He clarified that the water cut does not affect the entire state.
Only households that receive their supply from the Sungai Dua treatment plan in Butterworth, which covers about 70% of the total consumers here, are impacted.
Pockets like Air Itam and Batu Ferringhi, whose supply come from reservoirs in Ayer Itam and Teluk Bahang respectively, will continue getting supply, Pathmanathan said.
The state will also discourage any car wash and laundromats from operating during the four days, as priority goes to the households, commercial and industries, he said.
The valves and piping that will be worked on are 50 years’ old and need to be upgraded, Pathmanathan said.
PBAPP is also encouraging consumers to think about conservation in view of how climate change may impact future supply.
The non-revenue water rate in Penang is about 28.8% monthly – among the lowest in the country – but there is always room for improvement, he said.
With the upgrading exercise, leakages from old pipes will be reduced, he added. – The Vibes, December 8, 2023
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