Water supply to be restored for 84% of affected consumers by today

PENANG expects water supply to be restored by midnight today for 84% of the 120,000 account holders affected by another burst pipe incident at the Sg Perai riverbed since last Wednesday.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that Plan A, which involves fusing back the badly damaged riverbed pipeline was completed at 4.30 pm and water is being restored gradually to at least 100,000 households.

Some 400,000 residents in predominantly Balik Pulau, including some zones in George Town, have had no proper supply for the past four days.

“We anticipate that by 11.30 pm today, 84% of 120,000 affected consumers will have their water supply restored," Chow said after visiting the Sg Perai site in Ampang Jajar.

The remaining 16% of affected consumers at the end-of-line and high ground will have to wait until Sunday about 11.30 pm for the water supply to fully resume, he said.

On Plan B, which is progressing ahead of schedule, Chow said preparations for commissioning two new 600mm above surface pipelines to replace the Sungai Perai riverbed pipe is now poised to be completed.

He said that on Monday, around 11.30 pm, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will once again shut down the riverbed pipeline to enable the reconnection of the main Sg Dua Water Treatment Plan relay pipe to the new 600mm above surface pipelines.

The shutdown will be done for 16 hours and by 3.30 pm on Tuesday, water supply is expected to be fully restored for the state.

Chow expressed optimism that the diversion plan will ensure there are no more disruptions to water supply, especially for the Balik Pulau locality.

Before the shutdown on Monday night, Chow urged consumers to store more water as a precaution.

Also present during the site visit were Penang, Infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan. - The Vibes, January 27, 2024.