GEORGE TOWN – Many taps in Penang Island remain dry despite assurances from the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) that water supply would be gradually restored at 3pm onwards.
Areas between Jelutong and Bayan Lepas continue to experience either no water or low pressure as of 7pm.
A check with the PBAPP call centre at 7pm indicated water supply will need time to normalise especially for those living in hilly areas as well as high-rise buildings.
Traffic was congested in the northeast district, as residents in the south made a beeline there to take showers in the homes of family and friends.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin took to social media to highlight the water supply issues endured by old folks homes in his constituency, saying that it has undermined the facilities’ operations.
He also said that care homes such as the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged need help.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow also weighed in on the issue, saying the unscheduled supply disruption was caused when a 1200mm valve malfunctioned when the PBAPP was carrying out a routine scheduled maintenance.
Osman Yusoff, a Penang Inshore Fishermen Association committee member, said he was informed that only Seberang Prai would be affected by the scheduled maintenance but now, most parts of the island are affected.
The Bayan Baru resident said even though PBAPP boasted of being one of the better water utility companies, the state now is experiencing supply disruptions.
Earlier it was reported that as many as 700,000 households in Penang were affected since pre-dawn hours today due to a technical issue at the Sg Dua water treatment plant in Butterworth.
Areas announced with either no water or low pressure are Gelugor, Bukit Gelugor, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Batu Uban, Jalan Sg Dua, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Jalan Kg Jawa, Free Trade Industrial Zone, Taman Lip Sin, Sg Nibong, Jalan Tengah, Taman Pekaka, Jalan Aziz Ibrahim, Bukit Jambul, Bayan Baru, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Pulau Jerejak, Bayan Lepas International Airport, Bayan Lepas, Persiaran Mayang Pasir, Taman Bukit Dumbar, Jalan Permatang Damar Laut, Batu Maung, Teluk Tempoyak, Bandar Cassia (Jalan Kekabu), Desa Wangsa Flats, Jalan Yeap Chor Ee, Island Glades, Island Park, Teluk Kumbar, Bukit Gedung, Balik Pulau, Sg Ara, Jalan Tun Dr Awang, and Relau.
Last July, most of Penang suffered major water cuts after flood waters filled with debris streamed down Sg Muda to the main intake station at Lahar Tiang in Kepala Batas.
It went on to disrupt the Sg Dua plant. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022
