Business as usual at Abbas’ nasi kandar restaurant in Teluk Kumbar, thanks to stored water and supply being re-established on the third day of the water cut. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT, ZHAFARAN NASIB, KT GOH and CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
PENANG residents are all praise for the state government’s handling of the scheduled water disruption that ended on Jan 14.
Many lauded Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) for announcing the water cut early so people had time to prepare, and also providing periodic updates online.
Limousine taxi driver Ahmad Iswadi Arshad said that because of the early announcement, he had time to buy buckets to store water.
(Left) Residents in Sri Bayu Apartment, Bayan Lepas getting water from one of the tankers mobilised around the state.
The Balik Pulau resident thanked PBAPP and the state for working hand-in-hand to disseminate information so that people would not be left in the dark.
Ehailing worker Idris Sidik also felt Penang government handled the matter well.
Abbas: I attended to the usual number of customers without any issues during the water cut.
He said the mobilisation of static water tanks and tankers all over the state helped the affected residents cope.
PBAPP deployed more than 100 water tankers to affected areas and this was described as the largest ever in the state’s history.
The tankers came in various sizes from 5,000 to 40,000 litres.
PBAPP also installed 97 static tanks including rented flexi-tanks with a maximum capacity of 24,000 litres each.
Senior citizen Chen Say Lim praised the state and PBAPP for completing the replacement of two main valves at Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant ahead of schedule.
Salahuddin KM Alapitchay (left) takesthe opportunity to do his laundry while Mohamed Othman waters his plants.
“We were worried that the replacement work might hit a snag due to bad weather or other complications but PBAPP managed to get the job done smoothly.”
Chen said this made it possible for water supply to resume in some areas of Penang sooner than expected.
Apart from the valve replacement, PBAPP also completed ancillary works at 22 locations.
The works were estimated to take 24 hours from 6am last Wednesday to 6am last Thursday, but they were completed at 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Two residents of Taman Merbau Jaya resuming their household routines after water supply was restored on the second day of the scheduled disruption.
Jenny Cheah also commended the state for its excellent handling of the water cut, but suggested a new mechanism be introduced to distribute water to affected residents in Penang in the event of future water cuts.
“The distribution system was not set up properly.
“Almost all areas received assistance but some areas did not get water supply or any aid, especially residents living in high-rise buildings and remote areas only accessible by motorcycles,” she noted.
Chen (left) getting help from another resident, Goan Teoh, to fill his pail near his house in Bukit Penara, Balik Pulau.
Cheah said there were also some residents who were unable to carry pails or buckets to their houses after filling them with water from tankers, as they didn’t have vehicles.
Sundry shop owner Wong June Ngen singled out the voluntary fire brigade for extending help to those affected.
“The volunteers helped us around the clock, whenever we needed help to refill water.”
Wong said the voluntary fire squad units even helped women and senior citizens carry heavy pails of water to their homes.
(From right) Wong getting assistance from Kuala Sungai Pinang voluntary fire brigade personnel Lim Chai Seng and Ooi Lay Peng at his sundry shop in Bukit Penara, Balik Pulau.
He, however, expressed hope that there would be no more long water cuts in the future.
“Without water, it is difficult for people to carry out their daily routines,” he added.
In many areas of Penang, business went on as usual during the disruption.
Nasi kandar restaurant manager Abbas Ali said his outlet was open as usual during the four days.
“We had no water only during the first two days.
Ahmad Iswadi says he had time to buy buckets as early notice was given.
“We coped well as we had stored enough water for emergency use.”
He said water supply resumed on the third day at the restaurant located in Teluk Kumbar.
“I attended to the usual number of customers without any issues,” he added.
Abbas said PBAPP and other local authorities played pivotal roles in assisting residents and traders during the water cut.
A hawker who wanted to be known only as Kumar said he operated his stall as usual despite the water cut.
“We were alerted about the water cut a month early and were prepared for it,” said the Bayan Lepas resident.
He was satisfied with the assistance he received from the authorities.
“We had enough supply from the tankers and tanks made available at strategic locations in the area,” he added.
An estimated 590,000 account holders of PBAPP had been expected to be impacted by the water disruption scheduled from 6am on Jan 10 to 6am on Jan 14.
Fortunately, the works were completed ahead of schedule and water supply was restored in most places much earlier than anticipated.
