GEORGE TOWN: Water supply to the whole of Penang is only expected to be fully restored early Saturday (July 9) morning.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said 80% of the water supply has been restored since taps ran dry on Wednesday (July 6) afternoon.
"Most of the areas have been restored except for some higher areas, south of the island and in high rise buildings in Central and South Seberang Prai which will see full restoration early Saturday morning," said Jaseni in a press conference with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari at Komtar on Friday (July 8).
"The Sungai Dua water treatment plant is already running at full capacity, but several issues such as air locks in individual water meters, water tanks not restarted and buildings situated at the higher ground are delaying the water supply.
Jaseni said PBAPP staff were on the ground checking water tanks and water meters.
The treatment plant was shut down on Wednesday (July 6) after abnormally high turbidity of incoming raw water from Sungai Muda due to the massive floods in Baling, Kedah.
The emergency measure was necessary to prevent the production of unsafe treated water.
"They are also distributing water bottles to affected areas as starting water pumps will take some time as any abrupt restarts would damage them.
Calling the situation 'a worst fear which came true' Chow said Penang was facing a water crisis that it had warned the Federal Government about numerous times but was unheeded.
"What happened in Baling was something we predicted as efforts were not taken to protect the Sungai Muda tributaries which created the water crisis in Penang.
"Time and again we have reminded Kedah and the Federal Government to create the Ulu Muda Basin to safeguard catchment areas which are critical to both states.
Chow said with 80% of Penang water supply coming from Sungai Muda the state is in a quandary as it could only act on issues which are within its jurisdiction but needs the support of the Federal Government.
A total of 527,000 accounts are dependent on the Sungai Dua treatment plant to get the daily water supply.
"Action is needed on the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS) which can act as a backup and alternative water source.
Chow said a new treatment plant at Sungai Dua and increasing Mengkuang Dam capacity to 600mlds with the building of new pipelines was already underway.
