MOST of Penang’s estimated 600,000 water consumers would have their supply restored within 72 hours after a major water cut on January 10 for scheduled maintenance, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) said.
It said the cut would affect 80% of users in the state.
Despite a directive from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to hasten the repair, the PBAPP said it needed 72 hours to fully restore supply.
The water cut is expected to last from January 10 to 14 – the longest one in the state’s recent history.
PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan told the media at the corporation’s main treatment plant in Sungai Dua that supply to 197,025 consumers might be restored within 48 hours.
The rest should have water again within 72 hours from January 10, he said.
Having received complaints from the manufacturing and commercial sectors, Pathmanathan said PBAPP has provided early notice to facilitate preparation.
“We are requesting water tankers from the National Water Services Commission to send water to affected consumers during the period,” he said.
He said the factories could start collecting water in their 48-hour storage facilities from now to tide them over the disruption.
He said PBAPP would incur a loss of RM10 million during the water cut, but added the repair must be done soon as the valve might burst otherwise.
“We understand consumers do not want any disruption and we would prefer to avoid public criticisms and complaints, but this is a necessary undertaking,” he said.
He said tankers would also be deployed to strategic areas such as medical treatment centres and schools, while at high-rise residences, volunteers would send water to elderly occupants’ homes.
Economic hubs affected
PBAPP said its engineers would work around the clock to repair the 1,200mm valve and upgrade pipes in 22 locations during the water cut to ensure optimal supply.
Unfortunately, the state’s main economic hubs – George Town, Bayan Baru and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, including the Penang International Airport – would only regain water supply on the third day after stoppage.
“We are confident supply would be at 99% by the fourth day,” Pathmanathan said, adding that the resumption of water supply to upstream areas at higher elevations might be delayed as well.
He said though the repairs would take 24 hours, major pump houses could only be restarted once reservoirs were full.
The treated water from Sungai Dua must travel 62km to reach 600,000 consumers.
Chow earlier said the state had no choice but to undertake the task to avoid major future disruptions.
Lawyer S. Raveentharan urged PBAPP to ensure there would be no major disruption after January 10, and for the state to find new ways to harvest water during the monsoon season.
“If we are constantly facing flooding, we should learn to channel excess water into holding facilities where we can store it for events such as major water cuts,” he said. – The Vibes, December 13, 2023.
