No more water crises please

In the face of climate change and ageing pipes, Penang urgently needs to beef up its water security.

LAST week’s spell of water cut, or “hell” to some, was a crisis for all, that’s for sure.

But it was the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) that must have felt the heat the most, as it came under fire from all sides.

During a closed-door briefing for government agencies and lawmakers before the disruption, an MP was scathing in his remarks against the PBAPP chief executive.

There was even a petition signed by 19 MPs and assemblymen over what they claimed to be poor service by the corporation in handling grouses from the ground.

And to make matters worse, some even called for the whole PBAPP management to be replaced.

Two things quickly came to mind after the recent water crisis.

Firstly, Penang urgently needs to beef up its water security. Secondly, the state’s ageing water pipes have to be replaced.

Water security should easily be on the state’s New Year’s wish list because it has the highest usage of water in Malaysia.

In Penang, the per capita domestic water usage is 307 litres per person per day, compared with Selangor’s 235.

The national average in 2020 was 244, while Singapore recorded 158 in 2021.

The water deal with the Perak government must be expedited to ensure Penang’s long-term water security. PBAPP has been pursuing the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme to tap a second major raw water resource for the state.

Now, about 80% of Penang’s raw water is derived from Sungai Muda, and there is a need to reduce such heavy dependence on a single source.

All set: Tan Guan Hin (right) and his wife Loo Soon Chin at their flat in Taman Lip Sin, Penang. The couple were busy preparing stored water for the water crisis. — KT GOH/The Star

For the record, Penang has three dams – in Ayer Itam, Mengkuang and Teluk Bahang – and nine water treatment plants.

After more than 50 years, it is time that Penang’s ageing water pipes, which run over 4,696km, are replaced.

Annually, PBAPP forks out over RM100mil on water subsidies for domestic customers.

Had that money been used to upgrade the piping, maintenance and infrastructure, there probably wouldn’t be any water crisis at all.

Since 2015, the average water tariff for Penang’s home users is 32sen for every 1,000 litres, the lowest in the country.

A new tariff was introduced for commercial users last year.

All the criticism over the water cut has served as a wake-up call for PBAPP since it completed the 96-hour arduous repairs at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant ahead of the scheduled four-day cut that began on Jan 10.

It took the company just about nine hours to fix and replace the two faulty control valves.

“The valve replacement, originally slated for completion within 24 hours, was accomplished ahead (of time) by several hours,” Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow proudly posted on his Facebook account.

The simultaneous repairs at 22 other locations were also duly completed.

Then came the downside. Divers had to be summoned again to dive into Sungai Prai to fix a dislodged clamp on the submerged pipe.

This was the same pipe that had burst twice and caused the previous major disruption in Penang last month.

Hours after the repair work was completed this time, the 30-year-old pipe sprang a leak yet again – at 10am on Jan 12 – taking many by surprise.

In the past, PBAPP has said its target was to resolve any issues and be prepared to meet even higher water demand.

It’s already 2024, and the maintenance of our ageing infrastructure certainly calls for immediate attention, as this could prevent the loss of non-revenue water due to burst pipes and leakages.

Besides, experts have also warned about further looming threats of this century – climate change and poor water resource planning.

The buck stops with PBAPP, which must ensure stable and uninterrupted water supply to consumers all year round and no more repeats of the water cut “hell” again.