Chow says turbidity level is still under control at 470 NTU, below the critical mark of 1,000 NTU.
ALTHOUGH recent floods in Baling, Kedah, have seen turbidity levels in Sungai Muda rising, the situation has not reached critical stage.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the latest reading showed turbidity level at Sungai Muda, which feeds into the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), was at 470 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU).
“Turbidity levels in Sungai Muda normally range between 100 and 200 NTU.
“The level is still under control,” he told reporters in Komtar.
Chow said the situation would be considered critical when the level exceeded 1,000 NTU.
“Following past incidents, we have upgraded filtration at the treatment plant,” he said.
Chow, who is Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chairman, said the authorities would continue monitoring the situation.
In response to concerns about forecast of upcoming thunderstorms and floods by Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), Chow reassured that state agencies were fully prepared with evacuation shelters and personnel on standby for the monsoon season.
In July 2022, floods in Baling caused water turbidity in Sungai Muda to spike to 3,000 NTU at the Lahar Tiang intake.
PBAPP had to reduce raw water intake from the river – a main source of raw water for Penang.
It led to a decrease in treated water production at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant and disrupted supply to about 465,000 consumers.
