GEORGE TOWN: A total of 37,000 user accounts across seven coastal areas on Penang Island will experience a scheduled 14-hour water supply disruption from 10pm on Thursday, Nov 28 to 12pm on Friday, Nov 29.
Penang Water Supply Corporation chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan said the disruption is due to the replacement of a 900mm valve and preventive maintenance work at the Batu Ferringhi Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
The affected areas include Bagan Jermal, Batu Ferringhi, Mount Erskine, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong and Teluk Bahang.
International hotels in these areas may experience either no water supply or low water pressure.
"The replacement is necessary as the 900mm sluice valve on one of the inlet pipes at the Batu Ferringhi plant is not functioning.
"This non-functional valve has been in use since the WTP began operations in 2001. The corporation will replace it with a new 900mm butterfly valve on Nov 28.
As a result, we have to temporarily shut down the Batu Ferringhi plant,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 21).
At the same time, Pathmanathan said the corporation will also service the high-voltage (11KV) switchgear and transformer, with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) staff on-site during the period to carry out preventive maintenance work.
He said the maintenance work is to ensure the Batu Ferringhi plant, a primary producer of treated water for the affected areas, operates optimally amid high water demand and changing climate conditions.
Additionally, it will help lower the risk of unscheduled breakdowns or mishaps that may suddenly affect water supply in all areas serviced by the plant.
Pathmanathan advised affected consumers to store sufficient water until the supply is fully restored and apologised for any inconvenience caused.
"All works have been scheduled to be carried out at night and early morning hours to minimise disruptions. Updates on the progress of the maintenance and preventive works during the water disruption will be provided via our Facebook page,” he added. - Bernama
