Klang Valley folks will have to brace for dry taps, says Syabas

PETALING JAYA: With the mercury set to rise even further in July and August, taps in the Klang Valley may run dry again, warns Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).

Its Corporate Communications and Public Affairs manager Priscilla Alfred said although most dams in Selangor were above 70% capacity this was no guarantee against supply disruptions.

According to the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas), the water level at the Semenyih dam is at 100% while at Tasik Subang it is at 99.38%.

“We can’t drink the water from the dams.

“It needs to be treated and treatment plants are already operating at maximum capacity,” said Priscilla.

She said despite the high levels at the dams, several areas in the Hulu Langat district were facing supply shortages because demand exceeded supply.

Priscilla said Syabas could not rule out the possibility of supply disruptions during Hari Raya next month.

“It’s usual for usage to increase this time of year because of the hot season.

“So it is best for consumers to be prudent in using water during this time,” she added.

Meanwhile, water levels in two of the 15 dams in Johor have dropped after the prolonged hot weather.

Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) Holdings corporate communications chief Jamaluddin Jamil said the Sungai Lebam dam has been at critical levels over the past two to three months.

“But we have been able to produce sufficient water for residents in Pengerang and certain parts of Kota Tinggi, and will be able to draw normal supply of raw water for another three months at the current level,” he told The Star.

He said water level at the Sungai Layang dam was also quite worrying, adding that there was some rainfall over Johor recently but not over the catchment areas.

Johor Public Works, Rural and Regional Development committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohamad said the state has been consistently monitoring all dams to ensure sufficient supply for the festive season.

Hasni said tankers would be sent out or water transferred from nearby dams if the dry weather persists.

“Water rationing is unlikely unless the situation worsens,” he said.

Hasni said that cloud seeding was also an unlikely option due to the lack of clouds.

Meteorological Department spokesman said that Johoreans could look forward to some rain next week.

“We do not expect heavy showers for Johor Baru but have forecast light rainy weather next week after more than 10 days of a dry spell,” he said.

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