THE Penang government has appealed to households and industries to understand the imperative nature of an unprecedented stoppage in water supply for up to four days for upgrading and repairs, saying that it is to prevent critical breakdown of supply that may have severe consequences in the future.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the disruption is inevitable due to the aging infrastructure, mostly pipes and valves.
Hence, he hopes that consumers can understand, undertake sacrifices and make early preparations to face the unprecedented stoppage in supply scheduled from January 10 to 14.
“We are not aiming to be popular. Otherwise, we would just delay the inevitable, but we need to prepare for the immediate future and ensure our water services are primed,” he said.
He said understands the frustration of the people, but the infrastructure replacement is best done now to avoid major disruptions in the future.
Chow was speaking to the media after attending a charity Christmas celebration at The Top in Komtar yesterday evening.
He said the actual upgrading of two valves that connect the Sungai Dua treatment plant in Butterworth to 85% of the water consumers, some 650,000 households, is only for 24 hours.
At the same time, 24 other locations would also be undergoing upgrading works to ensure the pipe systems there are repaired to prevent leakages.
It should be done within 24 hours, following which the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will restore supply in stages throughout the state.
About 85% of the state’s consumers would be affected.
Pockets of localities in Batu Ferringhi and Ayer Itam, which receive water from reservoirs in their areas, would continue to have supply.
Chow expects the majority of affected households to receive water in stages within 48 to 72 hours, with the others within 96 hours.
The shutdown is predominantly aimed at replacing two leaking 1,200mm control valves and prevent future disruptions.
PBAPP has also received approval from the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), its board and the state government to commence the shutdown.
Chow said SPAN regulations require factories to have two-day water storage capacity. He added that commercial enterprises should also similarly be doing this.
PBAPP can only guarantee water resumption by the end of the second or third day.
He expressed hope that consumers can understand it is better to deal with a scheduled maintenance period rather than a sudden disruption when there is no preparation.
“We should also use this period to reflect on water conservation and how to save water in such challenging periods,” he said.
Earlier, Chow announced the appointment of Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, former DAP Wanita head Chong Eng and Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan as the new board members of the state managed Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged and Destitute.
Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak presented the appointment letters to the three individuals, while Chow and state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim witnessed the event.
The new board members replaced previous ones, who had resigned from their positions along with former board advisor Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping. – The Vibes, December 10, 2023
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