Residents in Teluk Kumbar getting water from a tanker during the Sungai Prai incident.
TO PREPARE for the scheduled water cut from Jan 10 to 14, Penang authorities will be working with 24 voluntary fire and rescue units to supplement supply to consumers.
Penang Water Supply Corpo-ration (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said feeding stations across Penang island and mainland would facilitate water collection for Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) fire engines for distribution.
The Sungai Dua water treatment plant will undergo repairs on Jan 10.
He said the tanks of the fire engines would be sanitised before being filled with water from feeding stations, adding that this would be done two days before the water cut.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said notices regarding the upcoming disruptions had been disseminated through PBAPP channels and mass media.
“The disruption will start on Jan 10 with a complete cut due to repair works at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant (WTP).
“On Jan 11, we expect to complete the repairs and water recovery will start in stages.
Water bubbling from a leaking valve in Sungai Prai on Dec 18, causing a supply disruption to households. — Courtesy photo by PBAPP
“Full supply to households is expected on Jan 14,” he said as reported by Buletin Mutiara.
However, Chow urged the public to store more water in case the disruptions were to last longer than the anticipated four days.
He also said disruptions caused by the Sungai Prai incident and the upcoming scheduled cut were two different situations.
“The Sungai Prai incident was caused by a leaking valve during scheduled repair work.
“The pipeline was submerged underwater and the repair process called for expertise and special equipment.
Customers buying pails to store water during the Sungai Prai incident.
“Consequently, there was a delay in restoring normal water supply to households.
“In contrast, we have a detailed plan in place for the forthcoming cut at Sungai Dua WTP to mitigate difficulties for consumers,” Chow told Buletin Mutiara at a briefing with PBS representatives at Komtar.
State local government, town, and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye gave RM3,000 to each of the 24 PBS units for playing a role in assisting during the water disruption in May last year.
