Penang water cuts from May 14 until 17 due to sudden drop in Sungai Muda water level

GEORGE TOWN: Certain areas in the state will face water supply disruption from Sunday (May 14) until Wednesday (May 17) due to a sudden drop in the water level at Sungai Muda.

Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), in a statement, said the sudden extreme drop in water level at 5am on Sunday in Sungai Muda at the Lahar Tiang Intake inlet has affected treated water production at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

"We are drawing water from the expanded Mengkuang Dam as an emergency response measure.

"However, the volume of water being drawn from the dam is insufficient to make up for the shortfall from Sungai Muda.

"The Sungai Dua WTP cannot produce the normal volume of about 1,000 million litres per day (MLD) of treated water to meet water demand in Seberang Prai and some areas on Penang Island.

"Production has been limited to between 600 MLD and 650 MLD until raw abstraction at Lahar Tiang can be restored to 100%.

"This is subject to the recovery of the Sungai Muda water level,” it added.

It said that consumers in some areas in the state will also experience low water pressure until Wednesday.

"Consumers who still have water supply are advised to store water for use over this period of time.

"Our engineers are working to normalise raw water abstraction at Lahar Tiang and treated water production at the Sungai Dua WTP as soon as possible.

"We will continue to keep Penang water consumers updated," it added,

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow advised consumers to cut down on water consumption, urging them to stop watering their garden or plants.

"Avoid using a hose to wash your car or motorcycle.

"Do not leave your tap running," he said.

On Sunday (May 14) the Ayer Itam Dam recorded 39.8% capacity while the Mengkuang Dam is at 88.6%.

The Teluk Bahang Dam recorded 46.5%.

Meanwhile, Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada) said a total of 252,000 water consumers in Kuala Muda, Kulim and parts of Baling are experiencing unscheduled water supply disruption due to the sudden drop in water level caused by the damage to the Sungai Muda barrage gate.

"The water supply disruption in the three districts started at 7.25am on Sunday (May 14).

"The incident resulted in the operation of the Sungai Petani/Pinang Tunggal water treatment plant (LRA) and the Kulim Hi-Tech LRA being temporarily suspended until the river level stabilises.

"Following the suspension, a total of 252,000 users have been affected, and among the areas involved are Sungai Petani, Bedong, Pantai Merdeka, Kulim, Lunas, Kuala Ketil, and several other major areas," it said in a statement.

According to data provided by the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, Sungai Muda's water level is far below normal.

As of 2pm on Sunday (May 14), Sungai Muda along Jeniang town in Kedah was at 20.34m (normal: 22m), while its depth was at 6.15m (normal: 8m) near Sungai Petani.