Ready for the worst as dry days approach

Air Itam Bukit Bendera Volunteer Fire Brigade members filling up water tanks for Island Glades and Bukit Jambul residents. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT and ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star and courtesy of fire brigade.

WATER containers like pails, buckets, jerry cans, plastic barrels, earthen jars and bottles are all pressed into service as Penangites get ready for a four-day scheduled water cut starting today.

Some have also resorted to DIY (do-it-yourself) ways by storing water in plastic bags.

About 70% of the state involving 600,000 customers will face a four-day water cut from today.

Those staying at the end-of- the-line areas where supply is expected to return only on Sunday have also planned for the worst-case scenario.

Among them is businessman Salihin Salleh, 44, who has filled up several containers for washing and bathing.

“I hope the disruption will not go beyond the 96 hours.

“At least, we have been given plenty of time to get ready,” he said when met at his house in Kampung Paya Kongsi in Balik Pulau.

(From right) Amar Muhaimin, daughter Iman Akmal, four, mother Habsah Sulaiman, 69, and son Haras Akmal, four, filling up water containers at their house in Gertak Sanggul.

The Balik Pulau suburb along with Sungai Ara on the island and south Seberang Prai on the mainland are among the end-of-the-line areas that will be the last to see water supply resumption.

Salihin’s wife Salmiah Shaidin, 43, said she had already cleaned the fish and chicken for their meals so she didn’t have to wash them again during the water cut period.

The housewife hoped the water supply would resume earlier as it would pose a lot of inconvenience to many consumers, especially those who have to work.

“Luckily, my children can attend online classes during the period while my eldest son is staying at a campus in Kedah,” she said.

Last Friday, Penang Education Department announced that all schools in the state were allowed to conduct home-based teaching and learning (PdPR session) during the scheduled disruption.

The department’s deputy director Wan Sajiri Wan Hassan said that only Form Five and pre-university students would have to go to school as usual as exams had been scheduled.

Meanwhile, the Masjid Kongsi committee has prepared additional water tanks for villagers in Kampung Paya Kongsi.

(From left) Kampung Paya Kongsi residents Abdul Manap Md Isa, 62, Mohamad Saaudi Mat Saad, 53, and Mohamad Fitri Badiuzaman, 38, filling up containers at Masjid Kongsi.

Committee chairman Yuskamarul Anuar Yusop said besides a water tank containing 1,892 litres of water, the mosque also received a 1,000-litre static water tank from the Balik Pulau service centre.

“We will place the tanks at the compound of our mosque, where voluntary fire brigades and Penang Water Supply Corpor-ation (PBAPP) tankers can fill them up with water.

“These tanks can help at least 950 families or about 4,000 villagers during the water cut period,” he said.

Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said he would ensure that everyone in his constituency would get adequate supply during the water cut.

He said that six flexi tanks, each storing 24,000 litres of water, had been placed at strategic locations in the constituency.

“Five of the flexi tanks are from my service centre while one is provided by PBAPP.

“These tanks are placed at flats in Mutiara Perdana and Masjid Bayan Lepas in Bayan Lepas, Taman Vanilla in Sungai Batu, Lily Flats in Jalan Bukit Penara and Flat Hijau in Taman Desa Genting,” he said.

Water tanks to be filled up for Alor Vista residents in Taman Alor Vista, Lengkok Relau.

There are also 15 static tanks in his constituency, which the public can easily access.

“More than half of Balik Pulau will be the last to receive water supply during the disruption,” he said.

In Gertak Sanggul, which is considered another end-of-the-line area, some residents and hawkers are drawing water from a spring nearby.

Hawker Lee Sian Heang, 56, who sells fried rice and fried noodles along Jalan Gertak Sanggul, said the water would be used for bathing and washing.

She, however, said she would still need to store clean water for cooking and drinking.

Lee will still operate her stall during the first two days of the water cut.

Food court worker Fatin Atika Nazmi washing chicken in Gertak Sanggul. She will be relying on the spring nearby for water.

“However, if things get too troublesome, I will close over the weekend,” she said.

Mas Liana Din, 43, who sells nasi ayam at a food court along the same stretch, said the food court owner installed pipes to channel water from the spring many years ago.

“Villagers come to the spring here to get water,” she said.

Another resident Chin Ah Hin, 60, said it was tough carrying a heavy water barrel to his flat.

“I hope the authorities can work out a method to help residents carry water barrels, especially the elderly,” said the mechanic.

Factory technician Amar Muhaimin Muhammad, 33, who lives at Taman Desa Widuri flats, has prepared two 220litre- containers.

“I think the water saved is enough only for bathing. For cooking and drinking, my family and I still need to get more,” he said.

He is upset with the recurring water disruptions in the area, adding that a water cut should not last more than two days.

From today to Jan 14, some 600,000 consumers will be affected by the water cut which is scheduled to allow for valve replacement work at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant and repairs at several locations along the main pipeline.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had said the work to replace two major pipes was challenging and hoped the public would understand the long-term benefits of the work.

Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said on Sunday that the water disruption could be used to teach children about water conservation.

“A lot of water is wasted in every home and this can put a dent on your finances.”

Among his tips are installing water-saving shower heads and dual-flush toilets.

“Refrain from leaving the water running when hand-washing dishes or brushing teeth.”

He said that most modern dishwashers were more efficient than washing by hand.

“If you do not have a dishwasher, use a dishpan in the sink when rinsing dishes. These measures can reduce your water use at home by up to 35%,” he added.