DESPITE calls from several elected representatives that schools should be allowed to operate despite the mega water cuts in the state, the state Education Department has decided to shut down public schools in Penang.
From January 10 until 12, schoolchildren in Penang will have lessons at home for three days while the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) works around the clock to undertake repairs and restore supply.
The actual disruption is scheduled from January 10 to 14 but PBAPP expects 80% of consumers affected to have supply restored by January 13 (72 hours after the start of the disruption).
State deputy education director Wan Sajiri Wan Hassan had said that Form 5 and pre-university students must come to school as usual to sit for scheduled examinations but others are allowed to study from home.
Besides schools, the majority of some 500 factories and small medium industries in Penang have also decided to shut down for the duration of the scheduled water cuts.
Several retailers and food operators have also decided to do the same despite assurances from the state, elected representatives and other government agencies that an ample fleet of water tankers would be available.
Most of Penang’s households would be affected, while only the localities of Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang would be spared because their pipes are connected to the main dams in Air Itam and Teluk Bahang.
Consumers Association of Penang senior officer N.V. Subbarow has urged Universiti Sains Malaysia to stop classes for the duration of the cuts, as many students struggled during last month’s major disruption, which lasted up to four days.
Subbarow said that it is best to conduct classes via virtual classrooms or allow students to go home so they can be spared the agony of looking for water.
Some hotels such as the Mercure Hotel in Tanjung Bungah have come up with novel ways to promote their hospitality properties during the cuts, offering food and room promotions.
Also, some travel agents have recorded an uptick in travel queries, as Penangites decided to take an extended New Year break due to the water cuts, with many families looking at destinations such as Ipoh, Alor Star and the Klang Valley.
There is also an acute shortage of water containers, pails and buckets in Penang, as consumers rush to purchase such items.
There is also low pressure recorded in many localities, which a PBAPP spokesman blamed on the surge in demand due to consumers storing more water.
A total of 590,000 water users, including non-domestic ones, are expected to be affected by the closure of the Sg Dua main water treatment plant for the replacement of damaged valves, and ancillary work at 22 other locations.
PBAPP has apologised but said the works are crucial to ensure that the supply goes uninterrupted in the future, noting that the disruption would last 98 hours, from 6am on January 10 until 6am on January 14, but the majority should get their supply back from January 13.
Its chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said that PBAPP will coordinate the deployment of 99 tankers throughout the affected localities.
The fleet of tankers will include 27 “jumbo tankers” (40,000L).
In addition, PBAPP will deploy 19 “gajah flexi tanks” (24,000L), or parked water containers, and 78 normal static water tanks in affected areas.
These temporary water distribution assets will be mobilised/deployed in accordance to PBAPP’s four stages of water supply recovery.
Consumers who need urgent assistance with the refilling of empty static water tanks may call PBAPP’s 24-hour call centre (no: 04 255 8 255). – The Vibes, January 6, 2024
