THE Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is now supplying an estimated 195.28 million litres of water (MLD) to south Seberang Perai district this year, which is 10.5 MLD more compared to last year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also PBAPP chairman, said the district households would benefit from the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) installed at the Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Nibong Tebal.
“With the addition of two new portable WTPs at Taman Sungai Duri Indah, there will be a boost for the water accounts in south Seberang Perai district.
“The state has always prioritise increasing water services in Penang. We have spent RM18.6 million to build this DAF here, while another RM1.92 million is allocated to improve the water services in the district.
“This year, PBAPP has planned to invest an additional RM10 million for water projects in the district. This does not include the RM31 million allocation meant for the Package 12A Sungai Dua WTP, which will benefit the people beginning July this year,” he said before launching the installation of DAF at the Bukit Panchor WTP in Nibong Tebal.
Chow emphasised that PBAPP has always looked into the concerns by the district’s folk, especially regarding water issues.
PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the state’s water company is supplying more water than ever in the district.
“There are water supply issues in the area due to the high water demand, especially during peak periods.
“The commissioning of the Package 12A and the compact WTP at Sungai Kerian by end of this year will tackle the water issues in the district in short term,” he said.
Pathmanathan said PBAPP aims to commission a 114 MLD water treatment plant at Sungai Kerian to meet water demand until 2030.
“We need to do a proper planning as this will take time to complete,” he said, adding that PBAPP strives to improve its water services to Penangites.
Regarding the Sungai Bakap water issue, Pathmanathan said the water woes would be resolved soon with the completion of the DAF at Bukit Panchor WTP.
“We received complaints from about 1,500 accounts, mainly from high-ground and end-of-line (EoL) neighbourhoods,” he added.
Also present were state Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, state Trade, Entrepreneurial and Rural Development Committee chairman Rashidi Zinol, and Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting