PETALING JAYA: Seven dams in Selangor and Kedah are running low, but domestic users in the two states need not worry.
There is more than enough water supply to last for months, say authorities.
In fact, levels of the dams in the Klang Valley have gone up after recent rains and there is enough to last for the next 90 days, said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
“The Selangor Water Management Board reported that all dams in the state have reached capacities of more than 82%.
“This means all dams have sufficient water supply for the next 90 days even if there is no rain during that period.
“We also have groundwater reserves that can last us for another 60 days.
“However, we expect heavy rainfall by October when the monsoon transition occurs,” he said.
Amirudin said supply had been low previously because off-river storage was used to meet the needs of a water treatment plant after pollution was detected.
“This was part of the new Raw Water Guarantee Scheme. It is aimed at preventing polluted water in the river from entering the water treatment plant,” he said.
On Monday, four dams in Selangor – Langat, Sungai Selangor, Tasik Subang and Sungai Tinggi – were in the red zone.
Another dam, Semenyih, was in the orange zone, which is considered a warning stage.
As of yesterday, Sungai Selangor dam was at a capacity of 83%, Sungai Tinggi (82%), Langat (87%), Semenyih (99%), Batu (84%), Tasik Subang (90%), Klang Gates (92%). Sungai Labu off-river storage is at 99% capacity.
In Kedah, the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) said there was ample water supply from the Pedu, Muda and Ahning dams for irrigation and domestic purposes.
“Water from the dams is being released at a rate of 3,500 cubic feet per second to meet the needs of padi cultivation in the Muda area, as well as domestic and industrial needs in Kedah and parts of southern Perlis,” it said.
Current reservoir capacity at Mada’s dams is 53.34% (Pedu), 33.84% (Muda) and 58.58% (Ahning).
“The 789.06mil cubic metres available yesterday is higher than the 633.42mil cubic metres on Aug 5 last year.
“We have sufficient water to meet the irrigation needs of the first main padi planting this year (in September) and for domestic and industrial needs in the Muda area,” said Mada.
