GEORGE TOWN – The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) will be looking into claims of a faulty sensor, which is under the jurisdiction of the Drainage and Irrigation Department, being the primary cause of major water cuts affecting more than 600,000 consumers in Kedah and Penang.
SPAN chairman Charles Santiago told The Vibes that the commission will also provide recommendations to the two state governments to avoid recurring issues.
He added that national interests should take precedence over state issues, and recommended that Perak look into allocating its excess water resources to Penang and Kedah.
“Monetary aspects of any deals can be discussed later but the issue should be looked at as something that affects national interests.”
Santiago said water levels of rivers in Perak are at a good level, and the excess can be channelled to other states that need it for household and industrial use.
“As far as SPAN is concerned, no consumer should be deprived of water at any juncture, as it is their right to have access to drinkable and treated water.”
His remarks came after Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow demanded that Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor apologise after his remarks on the supply disruption.Chow added that he was informed that the faulty floodgate happened on the Kedah side of Sg Muda.
Some 600,000 consumers in Penang and southern Kedah suffered water cuts that started on Sunday evening until early yesterday.
The Penang Water Supply Corp had said an extreme drop in the water levels of Sg Muda at its Lahar Tiang intake inlet affected treated water production at the Sg Dua water treatment plant. – The Vibes, May 17, 2023
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