THE PENANG Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is slightly ahead of schedule in restoring supply to consumers across the state after successfully completing upgrading and repairs at over 23 locations during a scheduled water cut yesterday.
As at 3pm today, supply was restored to 60% of the 590,000 account holders.
This translates to 350,000 households as well as commercial and industrial firms in Penang having treated water back in their respective premises as of now.
PBAPP had announced prior to this that it would take up to four days for full supply to be restored.
Deputy Energy Transition and Public Utilities Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said that there is a slight improvement in the scheduling with certain localities in the four areas – George Town, Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal – having piped water services restored.
The worst affected is Balik Pulau where only five percent of the premises have their taps flowing again.
One major concern is the Sg Perai riverbed pipeline, which had burst thrice over the past three weeks, with the latest happening yesterday due to air pressure when supply was halted.
Sixteen underwater divers are taking turns to dive in to repair the damage.
They are facing difficulty due to the underwater conditions and currents, Akmal Nasrullah told a press conference.
"Repairs are only at the 50 percent stage," he said on the riverbed pipe.
Among those present with him were Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago.
PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan has nonetheless assured consumers that the water agency will repair the Sg Perai pipe within the stipulated 96 hours for which SPAN has granted PBAPP to shut taps in the state.
This means that normal supply should be restored to all parts of Penang, barring unforeseen circumstances, by Saturday.
Akmal Nasrullah also reported that repair works on the two major valves at the Sg Dua Water Treatment Plant in Tasek Gelugor have been fully completed.
The plant is operational again. It began its intake of raw water from the bordering the Sg Muda River.
The water is treated directly before being channelled via the network of pipes to 80% of Penang’s consumers.
Ancillary works on the other 22 locations throughout Penang have also been completed.
The main issue still pending is fixing of the pipe at the Sg Perai riverbed and ensuring that water is re-channelled effectively to all parts of the state.
Akmal Nasrullah acknowledged that some houses did not feel the water cuts. This may be because their storage tanks were still filled with reserve water in the past 48 hours.
For those without water, PBAPP with the help of various parties, has deployed 84 tankers, including jumbo-size ones, throughout the state.
It has also placed 84 static tankers in strategic locations for those who need water. – The Vibes, January 11, 2024.
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