THE CHAIRMAN of the National Water Services Commission (Span) wants authorities in Penang and Kedah to consider barring car wash operations and embark on more forceful water savings campaigns as the drought is predicted to become more severe in the region.
According to Charles Santiago, it is best to stop activities that are unnecessary and use excessive water in view of reports that both Penang and Kedah are facing disruptions to water supply due to the drought, which has led to water levels at the Ayer Itam Dam in Penang and rivers in Langkawi to be lowered.
Both northern states have reportedly recorded concerns from their water concessionaires over serious reductions in the water levels at their reservoirs, with the El Nino weather phenomenon, which is said to contribute to dry conditions, cited as a point of concern.
"Water should be used for essential activities such as bathing, cleaning, drinking and cooking instead of washing vehicles,” Santiago said.
“There are over one million vehicles each in Penang and Kedah. Imagine the amounts of water needed to clean a majority of them."
This may displease the car wash operators, but Santiago pointed out that the country is now coping with water-stressed conditions due to climate change and a surge in consumption.
"It means that we need to give priority to essential use of water instead of the widespread use of it. We need to conserve," he said when contacted by The Vibes.
He also wants the water authorities in Penang and Kedah to expedite their efforts to tap other alternatives, including recycling of wastewater for use in the manufacturing sector.
The tapping of underground spring water and rainwater harvesting should also be explored with greater intensity, he added.
Santiago said that there is also a need for the authorities to look at cloud seeding operations to replenish the storage levels at dams and ponds.
Acute problem in Langkawi
In Langkawi, Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada), the water agency of Kedah, has confirmed that several places on the holiday island are experiencing supply disruptions due to the dry season.
The areas include Kuah, Kisap, Kilim, Perdana, Bayas, Ulu Melaka, Temoyong, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah.
It also said that the water level of the island’s major river, Sungai Melaka, is dropping, and this poses a challenge for the authorities to provide enough treated water to the population, which includes tens of thousands of tourists.
There are also leaks in undersea pipes that transport treated water from the Sungai Baru water treatment plant on mainland Kedah to Langkawi.
This has contributed to the dry taps and low pressure in the main supply pipes to consumers.
Meanwhile, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) revealed that the Ayer Itam Dam was recorded to have a dismal water level of 34.6% on Wednesday.
The dam supplies to the densely populated working-class urban areas of Air Itam, Paya Terubong and parts of George Town, and the drought is forcing PBAPP to propose a new action plan.
It features a proposal to the state to potentially increase the effective capacity of the dam from 34.6% to 50% by the end of April.
The concept is to draw down less water from the dam than the average inflow of raw water into the dam daily.
The dam receives about 15 million litres of water per day (MLD) from three intakes – the Balik Pulau intake, Side Stream intake and Sungai Pinang West intake.
PBAPP is planning to reduce the daily drawdowns from the Ayer Itam Dam to the Ayer Itam Water Treatment Plant (WTP) by 75%, from 44 MLD to 11 MLD.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged that a water savings campaign be observed.
This is especially needed in the wake of reports that the drought may prolong due to El Nino, which begins as the Lunar New Year festive period approaches.
Chow said that each household here must strive to save at least 1,000 to 2,000 litres daily, especially during the dry season. – The Vibes, February 4, 2024
