PENANG received a boost in its aim to raise its water supply when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed that the federal government would prioritise the Perak-Penang treated water transfer scheme.
Anwar said the scheme directly benefits residents of northern Perak and southern Penang, particularly the Nibong Tebal district.
The RM4 billion project is crucial to address the long-term commercial and household water needs in the two states, Anwar Said.
He said this after attending a briefing on the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (Kigip). He was greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and Investments, Trade, and Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
"The water transfer scheme can sustain water supply in the neighbouring territories for decades. We should be able to meet the demand," said Anwar after the briefing.
Anwar said the scheme and Kigip will be developed with solar energy.
Anwar said the development of Kigip, which will be powered by solar energy, required a substantial water supply.
“It will involve constructing a water pipeline from Bukit Merah to Kerian to meet Kigip’s water demand. From there, the pipeline will be extended to Seberang Perai, which is good news for southern Penang folk.”
Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is supplying 195 million litres of water to the south Seberang Perai district this year, which is 10.5 million litres more than last year.
The district households would now also benefit from the dissolved air flotation at the Bukit Panchor water treatment plant (WTP) in Nibong Tebal.
“With the addition of two new portable WTPs at Taman Sungai Duri Indah, there will be a boost for the water accounts in south Seberang Perai district," said Chow after visiting the water treatment plant earlier yesterday.
This year, PBAPP will invest an additional RM10 million in water projects in the district.
PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the state’s water company is supplying more water than ever in the district.
“There are water supply issues in the area due to the high-water demand, especially during peak periods. The commissioning of new projects in Sungai Kerian by the end of this year will tackle the water issues in the district in the short term,” he said.
Pathmanathan said PBAPP aims to commission a water treatment plant in Sungai Kerian to meet water demand until 2030.
On the Sungai Bakap water supply issue, Pathmanathan said the water woes would be resolved soon with the completion of the dissolved air flotation at the Bukit Panchor WTP.
He said only 1,500 water accounts are affected by minor disruptions. – June 16, 2024.
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