The water level at Teluk Bahang Dam back to normal after a dry spell last year. — Filepic
PLANS have been put forth to ensure a water crisis will not happen again in Penang.
State infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said in a statement that an independent review panel comprising experts in water engineering and water catchment basin management had come up with short, medium and long-term plans.
The panel was formed to study the crisis which occurred from July 6 to 11 last year when a water treatment plant had to be shut down due to muddy water following the Baling floods in Kedah.
The short-term plans include setting up the Sungai Muda catchment committee together with Kedah to protect the Ulu Muda catchment area.
“We will look into installing water quality sensors in several locations upstream of the water intake point of Lahar Tiang,” said Zairil.
“The panel also suggested automatic sensors that can control the mechanical piping system there in the event of an emergency,” he said.
Other short-term plans involve rainwater harvesting systems for non-potable use and finding alternative sources of water such as groundwater and stormwater.
The medium term plans include installing water-saving devices in all residential buildings and public places in addition to constructing new treatment plants upstream of Sungai Kerian in South Seberang Prai as well as Sungai Prai and Sungai Muda in North Seberang Prai.
“A tariff rate review needs to be implemented to control high water consumption besides reducing wastage.
“The water tariff rate in Penang is the lowest in Malaysia,” said Zairil.
In the long run, he said the state water authority needed to strengthen its role for better management and control of water sources.
Long-term plans mooted by the panel include establishing the Ulu Muda Basin Authority to protect the Ulu Muda catchment area.
There is a need to explore raw water sources too, which involves designing coastal reservoirs in Sungai Muda, Sungai Jawi and Sungai Pinang.
The experts also called for the project to channel raw water from Sungai Perak to start immediately for the benefit of Penang and Perak.
Zairil said Penang would hold discussions with relevant agencies to study the recommendations. ― By N. TRISHA
