A Section 17 resident collecting water from a static tank in Jalan Harapan, Petaling Jaya. — Photos: ART CHEN and JADE CHAN/The Star
Water disruption in Klang Valley forces some eateries to close, while others adapt
SEVERAL eateries in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, were forced to limit or temporarily close following the unscheduled water disruption affecting large parts of the Klang Valley.
A food court at Jalan SS2/61, Petaling Jaya, was quieter than usual, with some hawkers opting not to operate yesterday.
“Operators who require a large amount of water, such as those selling drinks or seafood, were forced to temporarily close,” said SS2 Food Court Traders Association chairman Tommy Lum.
“Some hawkers with water supply at home might lug some to the food court.”
He said that many hawkers were unable to determine when they could resume operations as it depended on when supply is restored.
Hawker Yeep Pak Choo said she decided to sell more dishes than usual at her mixed rice stall, knowing that most of the others had decided not to open.
“I still have water in my house so I cooked at home.
“My son also helped transport additional water from my house in Kampung Cempaka so I could cook and clean at my stall.”
Hawkers at an SS2 eatery in Petaling Jaya planning to take dirty dishes back home to be cleaned.
Yeep said most of her food was sold out by lunchtime.
Pisang goreng seller Muhammad Haziq Anuar adapted by bringing water from home to his stall in SS2.
“I stay in Kampung Kayu Ara, which had water supply yesterday so I borrowed some large water drums from fellow hawkers who were not operating to transport water to SS2.
“I hope the water supply returns soon as it’s very inconvenient to have to carry gallons of water around.”
A check by StarMetro at several shops in the SS2 commercial centre found that some businesses opted to offer a limited menu while others temporarily shut their toilets for public use.
The public toilet at the nearby SS2 park was also shut.
Some businesses, such as operators of a carwash and drink kiosk, also chose to shut for the day.
Unscheduled water cuts can adversely affect the operations of dialysis centres too.
However, most centre operators StarMetro spoke to said they were pleased with Air Selangor’s prompt action to supply them with water.
Persatuan Dialisis Kurnia secretary David Chong said the centre in Kayu Ara, Petaling Jaya, would call Air Selangor whenever it was running low on water and the company would usually send tankers within the hour.
“Air Selangor gives dialysis centres priority.
Empty tables at Jalan SS2/61 food court in Petaling Jaya, with a number of hawkers opting not to operate due to lack of water supply.
“We have direct access to the person in charge to ask for assistance,” Chong said.
He added that the centre typically gets 15 patients daily.
A representative of a dialysis centre in Jalan Gasing said it had also been assisted by Air Selangor and no patients had to reschedule their appointments.
For residents in affected areas, Air Selangor set up static water tanks.
In Section 17, Petaling Jaya, residents could collect water at the static water tank on Jalan Harapan.
Retiree Abdul Rahim Hamzah who lives at the PKNS Flats there, brought empty mineral water bottles to fill up.
“We have water at home but we will run out if supply is not restored tomorrow,” said Abdul Rahim who lives with three adults.
Another resident, T. Toh, said most residents were unaware there was a water distribution point in the vicinity.
“Air Selangor’s information dissemination is poor.
“It should send residents updates on where we can get water.”
Toh complained that she had to look up the location of the nearest water distribution point on Air Selangor’s website, but the information was incorrect.
“I followed the coordinates given and it was to a location nearly 2km away.
“The new coordinates had not been updated on the website and when I pointed this out to the Air Selangor officer at the water distribution point, she was nonchalant about it,” said Toh.
Four water treatment plants, namely Rantau Panjang, Sungai Selangor Phase 1 (SSP1), SSP2 and SSP3 Water Treatment Plants, were temporarily shut down following an odour pollution incident at Sungai Kuang, Sungai Kundang and Sungai Sembah in Gombak.
Air Selangor said water supply restoration in the affected areas is expected to reach about 40% at 8am today, and 90% at 8pm.
Full recovery is expected by 8am tomorrow.
For updates and the list of affected areas, refer to Air Selangor’s official communication channels such as its app, social media platforms and www.airselangor.com
