JOHOR BARU – The water level at five water treatment plants in the state is expected to be at risk of reaching a critical level if the El-Nino phenomenon continues until July.
State Public Works, Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the plants involved are Sultan Iskandar (Johor Baru), Lok Heng (Kota Tinggi), Sg Gembut (Kota Tinggi), Bukit Batu (Kulai) and Tenglu (Mersing).
He said the state government is constantly monitoring the current situation of all the plants, which are estimated to affect a million consumers, and that the state government has mitigation measures in place.
“As a precautionary measure, we have prepared to place several pumps for example in Sg Johor, Sg Tiram, and Tasik Biru Seri Alam as well as a raw water transfer project from Sg Lukah.
“We will pump water if the water in the plants decreases, because El Nino is expected from May to July, but we hope that Johor will not be affected by this phenomenon,” he said when met at the Kumpulan Johor Corporation 2023 group Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here today.
He said this when asked to comment if the water at any plant is expected to reach critical levels following the El Nino phenomenon.
Fazli said the state government is also constantly monitoring all 16 dams in Johor, including the smallest dam in Gunung Ledang, Muar with a capacity of 0.39 million cubic metres, which can only last 13 days if there is no rain.
On the other hand, Bekok Dam, the largest, can last for 299 days if there is no rain, he added.
Fazli said the state government would also consider conducting cloud seeding if necessary.
The National Water Service Commission recently listed eight states easily affected by the El Nino phenomenon, which causes dry and extremely hot weather, based on experience in 2015 and 2016.
The states involved are Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, and Johor. – Bernama, May 10, 2023
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