Back in business: Water flowing freely as supply returns in the state. — KT GOH/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The wait is finally over for Penangites after water supply was fully restored after a 96-hour scheduled water disruption.
When the announcement was first made by the state government about the water cut on Dec 8, Penangites braced themselves for one of the longest water cuts they have experienced in a long time.
Thousands of pails, water buckets and containers were sold to consumers as they prepared for the crisis, with many hoping that the disruption would not drastically affect their day-to-day lives.
Among the last to receive water supply yesterday were residents living at the end of the supply line.
Ayub Osman, 57, who lives at Gertak Sanggul in Bayan Lepas, said the water supply at his house was finally back to normal.
He singled out the assistance from the voluntary fire brigade team and the Bayan Lepas service centre team for working round the clock by supplying water to residents there for washing and drinking.
Edward Lee from Kongsi, Balik Pulau, expressed his gratitude to Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) for restoring the water as scheduled.
Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said the constituency was the last to receive supply after the four-day scheduled water cut.
“The supply resumed at about 3am today (yesterday),” he said.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said all areas in Balik Pulau now have water supply restored, including higher ground areas.
PBAPP, in a statement, said water supply to 590,000 consumer accounts has been restored following the disruption on Jan 10.
The scheduled water supply disruption was to replace two giant valves at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant and ancillary work at 22 other locations.
Repair work was completed ahead of schedule.
