Four-day scheduled water disruption in Penang begins tomorrow

GEORGE TOWN: About 590,000 or more than 80% of Penang residents will face a scheduled water supply interruption for four days starting at 6am on Wednesday (Jan 10) due to repair works at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant.

The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) said it expects water supply to resume after 48 hours in at least 101 areas in the Seberang Prai Utara and Seberang Prai Tengah districts, and after 72 hours for 157 areas in Seberang Prai Tengah, Sebrang Perai Selatan, as well as the north-east and south-west of the island.

PBAPP also said it would deploy 99 tankers to deliver water to affected users from Jan 10 to 14.

Its chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said it would also install 97 static tanks to store water for affected users.

He said PBAPP plans to supply about 1.85 million litres of treated water throughout the period of water supply disruption.

Meanwhile, state infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said repair works at the Sungai Dua plant involves the replacement of two 1.2m-long valves in the main treated water pipe line which were leaking.

"It involves large-scale maintenance work and side water projects in 22 other locations throughout the state, especially the damaged and leaking valves with parts that have not been replaced for 50 years.

"The repair work took one day and we will gradually restore the water supply after completion. Expect the water supply to return to normal between 48 and 96 hours," he said.

Zairil said not all areas would experience supply disruptions, including some areas in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, as they get water from the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang water treatment plant. – Bernama