GEORGE TOWN, Dec 8 — About 590,000 users in Penang will experience scheduled water supply disruptions or low water pressure for four days from Jan 10 to 14 next year.
State Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the water cut was to allow the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to carry out repair work at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
He said the work involves replacing two valves measuring 1,200mm that have been leaking in the main treated water pipe within the plant and near the WTP fence.
“This disruption is unavoidable because it involves large-scale maintenance. This is because some of the damaged valves have not been replaced for 50 years.
“The repair work on one of the two valves was supposed to be carried out at the end of last year but was postponed, so this time it cannot be put off any longer for fear of causing sudden damage that may result in more serious problems, including for users in the long term,” he told a press conference today.
Zairil said in addition to valve replacement, other repair works would also be carried out at 22 locations throughout Penang during that period.
He said that the leaking valves had affected the treated water pumping operation at the WTP, resulting in Penang experiencing 28.6 per cent non-revenue water (water loss) per year.
According to him, the repair work would take 24 hours and the water supply would be restored in stages for 48 to 96 hours.
He added that water tankers would be mobilised to the affected areas, especially hospitals and dialysis centres during the period.
“In addition to water tanks from PBAPP, we are also working with local authorities and the Fire and Rescue Department to send water tankers to the affected areas,” he said.
More than 50 areas will be affected by the scheduled water supply disruption, including Seberang Perai, as well as George Town, Pulau Tikus, Jelutong, Gelugor, Bukit Jambul, Relau, Bayan Lepas (including the airport), Bayan Baru, Batu Maung, Teluk Kumbar, Teluk Tempoyak, Pulau Jerejak, and Pulau Betong on the island.
However, the water cut will not affect areas like Air Itam, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Teluk Bahang, which receive water from the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams.
