BUTTERWORTH: Over 1.4 million Penangites—about 80% of the state population—woke up to dry taps in landed properties, while those in high-rises relied heavily on their rooftop storage tanks.
The water supply was shut down at 10pm on Friday (April 25), but the rush to fill containers in homes and shops led to extremely low pressure, leaving residents on the fringes of the water grid without water many hours earlier.
Since Friday (April 26) night, workers have been tirelessly executing one of the state's most crucial upgrades to its water grid. They are rerouting the 1.35m-diameter pipeline supplying Penang with treated water to pass over Sungai Perai instead of beneath it.
First laid in 1973, the under-river pipeline ruptured last year, causing a geyser of treated water to shoot 30m into the air from the middle of Sungai Perai. The initial repair required a prolonged shutdown of the water supply.
Now, the permanent upgrade to a new pipe connection above the river necessitates severe water rationing for Penangites while the extensive plumbing work is underway.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation is posting regular updates and photos showcasing the progress of the pipe installation. Check out their Facebook page, PBAPP Penang.
Meanwhile, a local company has developed a beta website app to help Penangites pinpoint areas without water, down to specific streets. The web-based app, currently under testing, draws information from community members. Visit penangwatermonitor.sevena.com.my.
