BUTTERWORTH: While the taps run dry during the 96-hour water cut which begins in most parts of Penang today, workers at the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will be slogging it out.
It is learnt that about 100 staff members have been placed on 24-hour standby during the scheduled water cut, while an estimated 30 workers from the main contractor will be working on the valve replacement exercise at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant.
“We have been getting this ready in the past few days. I am hoping that everything will go smoothly as planned,” said an engineer who has been with PBAPP for more than 10 years.
This would be his first-ever massive valve replacement work.
The engineer, who declined to be named, said he was prepared to do his best to ensure that consumers get their water supply back as soon as possible.
“All preparations are in place with the contractors and PBAPP workers ready for the major replacement of the valves,” he said when met at the treatment plant yesterday.
A check by The Star at the site of the Sungai Dua water treatment plant yesterday morning found personnel and contractors carrying out preparatory work. Also seen were several excavators that had begun digging at the plant.
An estimated 590,000 consumers, or about 70% of Penang folk, will be without water from today till Sunday due to the repairs.
Those affected by the water cut, like mechanic Hasnol Ryzal Abdul Rahman, had been storing water at their homes.
Hasnol Ryzal, who lives with his 75-year-old mother in Kampung Sungai Dua, said he had filled up a 120-litre container.
“I have also kept a few buckets of water for bathing,” said the 46 year old.
He said he hopes the repairs would not take that long and water supply could resume by Sunday, as promised.
Another villager, Temah Bu Saidin, 79, who lives with her son and daughter, said this would be the first time that she had to go through such a long water cut after living in the village for more than 40 years.
“Most of the time, water cuts would only be a day or two,” she said.
Mohd Ali Ismail, 54, who runs a coffee shop near his house in the village, would avoid the dry taps by spending the four days at his son’s house in Ipoh.
“I will not be operating my coffee shop. My whole family is in Ipoh for now,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said PBAPP had taken various actions to mitigate the water disruptions. Although the state had initially planned to roll out more than 50 water tanks, he said the latest count showed that there would be at least 100 water tanks.
“These measures, which include the increase in the number of water tanks, static water tanks and others, reflect the dedicated efforts of PBAPP and elected representatives to ease the impact of water disruptions on the community,” he said.
Chow, who is PBAPP chairman, said the valve replacement at the treatment plant was essential to minimise the risk of any major breakdown in the future.
“Your support is crucial as we navigate through this collective challenge,” he said.
For urgent assistance, the public can call PBAPP’s 24-hour call centre at 04-255 8255.
Beside the 24-hour call centre, public can also contact PBAPP’s other communication channels at MyPBA application, MyPBAPortal, PBAPP Facebook page or email customer@pba.com.my.
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