ABOUT 16% of the 120,000 of account holders in Balik Pulau still do not have normal water supply but the consolation is that 84% got piped water back as at 4am today.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) released updates via social media that work is ongoing to restore full supply to the entire population in the state after up to five consecutive days of weak or no supply in certain areas due to a burst pipe at Sg Perai in Butterworth.
However, supply remains erratic in some areas due to the internal pumping system.
It is also affected by some consumers’ insistence on turning on their taps to store more water in view of a scheduled water cut said to take place on early Tuesday morning for 16 hours.
The scheduled disruption, which will again affect the same 120,000 account holders, is to facilitate PBAPP’s “Plan B” to divert water from the troubled Sg Perai riverbed pipeline to a new dual 600mm pipe above the surface to run parallel with the Ampang Jajar Bridge.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, in a social media post, explained that it takes time for the water to flow back.
PBAPP is also pumping below capacity to prevent another rupture of the riverbed pipe.
Meanwhile, Gerakan public complaints bureau head Andrew Ooi called for PBAPP to not just offer discounts to households affected by the constant disruptions, but also produce a comprehensive plan to avoid recurrence.
Ooi said that there must be a full disclosure on what PBAPP intends to do ahead.
He said that the prospect of facing water disruptions for close to four weeks must be avoided, as it should and must not recur. – The Vibes, January 28, 2024
