Water watch: A hiker checking out the current dam levels at the Ayer Itam Dam in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s water usage surged to 899.2 million litres per day (MLD) in June, an increase equivalent to almost 3,000 additional water tanker lorries daily compared to last year’s average of 870 MLD.
This spike is concerning, especially as residents were just showing signs of improving their water conservation habits. Last year’s average daily consumption was the lowest in 24 years.
And with the south-west monsoon entering its second half, dry weather is expected to continue.
This has prompted the Penang Water Supply Corporation to urge the public to conserve water as demand surges. Its CEO Datuk K. Pathmanathan confirmed that water usage had gone up with the prolonged hot spell.
“Penang is a water-stressed state with limited resources. It is not simple to respond to a sudden spike in consumption,” he said.
The corporation has ramped up treated water production to meet demand, but dam reserves continue to shrink in the absence of significant rainfall.
As of Wednesday, the effective capacity at Air Itam dam stood at 57.8%, Teluk Bahang dam at 53.6%, and Mengkuang dam at 91.4%. Based on current use, the Air Itam dam can supply water for another 57 days, Teluk Bahang for 163 days, and Mengkuang for 132 days if there is no rainfall.
Citing last year’s numbers, Pathmanathan said that each person in Penang uses, on average, 261 litres per day.
He urged residents to support the 250-litre target set for 2025.
In view of the hot spell, the corporation has reminded households to wash their cars less and to only run washing machines with full loads.
In view of the dry spell, the Department of Environment (DOE) has intensified ground patrols and fire-risk monitoring in agricultural lands, peat lands and other vulnerable areas.
DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar warned against open burning, saying those found guilty under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act can face fines of up to RM1mil or five years’ jail, or both.
“Do not carry out open burning for land clearing, waste disposal, or agricultural activity,” he said.
Currently, the hot weather is proving to be a profitable opportunity for M. Joel Jeyachandran, who operates a coconut drinks stall along Datuk Keramat Road.
“People have been stopping by for coconut water and coconut shakes. We’re selling up to 500 coconuts a day now, compared to 300 on normal days.
“Business has been booming the past two weeks!”
