Major upgrades secure south Perai water future

An exterior view of the plant in South Seberang Perai that currently supplies treated water to about 4,000 consumers. — Photos: Buletin Mutiara

SOUTH Seberang Perai is on track for more secure water supply.

Two facilities are already completed, with larger plants expected over the next few years.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the projects were the compact water treatment plant (WTP) at Sungai Kerian, which could produce 6.4 million litres per day (MLD), and the dissolved air flotation plant at Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant.

“These two projects serve as short and medium-term measures to address water supply issues in South Seberang Perai,” he said during a visit to both facilities.

Also present were state rural development, agrotechnology and food security committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol and Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan.

Chow, who is also PBAPP chairman, said the next major project would be an 80MLD water treatment plant at Sungai Kerian, reported Buletin Mutiara.

He said the project was part of Water Contingency Plan (WCP) 2030 comprising eight water infrastructure projects with total investment exceeding RM600mil.

“We will implement another 114MLD WTP at Sungai Kerian.

“The appointment of the contractor is expected to be made by the end of this year.

“Once these projects are operational, water for South Seberang Perai can be sourced directly from Sungai Kerian instead of being transmitted from the Sungai Dua WTP.

“This means the treated water now sent from Sungai Dua to South Seberang Perai can instead be redirected to better serve North Seberang Perai and Central Seberang Perai,” said Chow.

Chow turning a valve during a site visit to the Sungai Kerian compact water treatment plant. With him are Rashidi (at his right) and Pathmanathan (second from left).

Pathmanathan said PBAPP had been operating the compact WTP at Sungai Kerian since March last year to increase treated water production for South Seberang Perai.

“Tapping Sungai Kerian, which forms the natural boundary between Penang and Perak, the compact WTP currently supplies about 4,000 consumer accounts as an interim three-year solution to meet the district’s growing water demand.”

Pathmanathan said South Seberang Perai currently receives treated water from Sungai Dua WTP, Bukit Panchor WTP and the compact WTP at Sungai Kerian.

“By next year, PBAPP will commission a new 80MLD build-operate-transfer WTP that will also tap Sungai Kerian to increase treated water production for South Seberang Perai.

“By 2030, the 114MLD Sungai Kerian WTP, one of the key projects under WCP 2030, will be commissioned to strengthen and stabilise South Seberang Perai water supply services,” he said.