Sungai Layang Dam now at critical level

JOHOR BARU: The water level at the Sg Layang Dam has dropped to a critical level. The dam will only be able to supply water for between two and three weeks if the present weather persists.

So far, the authorities have not started any water rationing or scheduled water cuts for about 500,000 residents who get their supply from the dam.

The dam supplies water to those in Pasir Gudang and Johor Baru.

National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Ridhuan Ismail said that there was a high possibility of water cuts being implemented if the situation did not improve.

“The water level at Sungai Layang is now at 19.58m which is way below critical level of 23.5m.

“It is alarming because the level seems to be consistently dropping by about 0.03/0.04 metres per day,” he told reporters after visiting the Sungai Layang water treatment plant here.

Commenting on the scheduled water rationing in Mersing and Kota Tinggi, he said that the exercise may have to be extended beyond May 15 as initially scheduled, due to the dry spell in the area which is expected to persist.

SPAN commission member Datuk Roger Tan Kor Mee urged the public to conserve water and use it wisely because if the current trends continued, it would affect many people in parts of Johor Baru and Pasir Gudang.