PBAPP issues urgent call to save water

THE Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) issued an urgent call to consumers to save water by at least 10 per cent this month.

Its chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan estimated water consumption in Penang hit 927 million litres per day (MLD) yesterday compared to the 877 MLD average in 2023.

"This represents a sudden 50 MLD surge in water consumption year-on-year. This amount is equivalent to a volume of water that can fill 20 Olympic-size swimming pools a day or 33,333,333 large (1.5L) bottles of drinking water. 

"Such a surge in a water-stressed state is not wise or sustainable. It is causing issues in the Southwest and Seberang Prai Selatan districts, as reported by PBAPP in its Facebook posting on Saturday," he said.

PBAPP said that up to six localities including two districts of Balik Pulau and Nibong Tebal, including high-density localities of Sungai Ara and Bayan Lepas may experience no water or low pressure due to the higher than anticipated demand.

On top of it, the working class enclave of Air Itam is also facing an issue as the dam there has suffered due to the drought, brought on by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has affected water catchment areas here.

Pathmanathan appealed to consumers in the state to refrain from using hoses to water their gardens and clean their vehicles or premises.

"Please use water wisely at home and work," he added.

PBAPP-treated water production for the nine water treatment plants (WTPs) is at 1,266.3 MLD (2023 average: 1,198 MLD).

Average water loss (NRW) for 2023 was estimated at 26.8 per cent.

As of yesterday, the effective capacity of Penang's three key dams are Air Itam Dam (37.3 per cent), Teluk Bahang Dam (73 per cent) and EMD (89.6 per cent).

Pathmanathan said the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam dropped by 0.8 per cent, from 38.1 per cent last Friday to 37.3 per cent yesterday.

PBAPP, he noted, was compelled to draw down more than 11 MLD from the dam.

He added that the Air Itam WTP had to produce 25 MLD of treated water to meet increased water demand.

Meanwhile, former Batu Uban assemblyperson S. Raveentharan, who sat on the PBAPP board, urged the water authority to find new ways to source fresh water, while also imposing tight controls on the use of water in commercial areas.

"Water is a precious commodity, especially during this climate change era. We need to find new ways to conserve, protect and source for new resources." - The Vibes, March 18, 2024.