Phase two of water supply restoration in Penang completed at 6am

GEORGE TOWN: Consumers in areas under the second phase of water supply restoration have fully received supply as of 6am on Saturday (Jan 13), says the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).

In a statement on Saturday, PBAPP said that the second phase of water supply restoration involved 495,065 consumers or 84% of the 590,000 affected users in Seberang Prai and on the island.

"At present, PBAPP is working to restore water supply to 99.5% of the 590,000 consumers, starting from 6am today, with optimal treated water from the Sungai Dua water treatment plant to Penang island.

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"PBAPP is also focusing efforts on restoring water supply in the Barat Daya district, especially in the areas of distribution where pipes end and high areas, which is expected to be completed by 6am on Sunday (Jan 14)," read the statement.

A total of 590,000 user accounts throughout Penang were affected by a scheduled water supply disruption starting at 6am on Wednesday but at least 101 areas in Seberang Prai Utara (SPU) and Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT) were expected to receive water supply after 48 hours.

A total of 157 areas involving SPT, Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), Timur Laut and Barat Daya districts on the island will begin receiving water supply after 72 hours.

Meanwhile, PBAPP said that they have identified several sections involving new leaks in the Sungai Perai pipeline that occurred on Friday.

"Repair work on the leaks will be carried out as soon as possible," it said.

It was reported that PBAPP took immediate steps to divert a temporary pipe following the discovery of new leaks in the Sungai Prai pipeline.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the 900mm diameter pipe was diverted across the Ampang Jajar bridge on the river's surface.

The emergency measure was taken after an assessment found that the existing pipe in Sungai Prai could not be repaired. – Bernama