THE Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has initiated the Penang Water Supply Initiative 2050 (PWSI 2050), comprising three contingency plans, to mitigate the raw water supply risks in Penang.
PBAPP is the principal subsidiary of PBA Holdings Berhad (PBAHB).
PBAPP and PBAHB chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said the three contingency plans under the PWSI 2050 were the implementation of Package 12A of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant, the tapping of Sungai Perai as an additional water resource for the state, and the construction of a sea water desalination facility in the southern area of the Penang island.
“Package 12A involves the construction of a new 114 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment module in the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant. It will allow PBAPP to produce more treated water to meet the water supply needs in Penang, pending the implementation of the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS). The Package 12A is scheduled to start next year.
“The second plan, called the Sungai Perai Water Supply Scheme (SPWSS), involves tapping Sungai Perai as an additional raw water resource. We will explore the possibility of employing alternative water treatment technologies to properly treat the raw water for human consumption; as previous engineering studies have indicated that raw water from this river may not be safely treated using conventional water treatment technology.
“The SPWSS has a potential yield of 136 MLD,” he said.
Jaseni said the Phase One of the Penang Desalination Water Supply Scheme (PDWSS) was scheduled for commissioning in December 2024.
“Subsequent phases may be implemented until 2050 since Penang is surrounded by sea, with theoretically unlimited access to sea water.
“The purpose of the PDWSS is to address the increasing water supply needs in Balik Pulau and the surrounding areas; as well as for the tri-islands Penang South reclamation project towards 2030,” Jaseni told a press conference after the 20th annual general meeting of PBAHB at Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.
He said that the calculated potential yield of PDWSS is 250 MLD.
The PBAPP has commissioned a feasibility study on the proposed PWSI 2050 projects.
Jaseni said: “The feasibility study, which is currently being conducted by an independent engineering consultant, is scheduled for completion by January 2021.”
He said that the implementation of PWSI 2050 was crucial due to three key factors – the SPRWTS has not been implemented by the Federal Government and direct talks with Perak have reached a stalemate; Sungai Muda may only be able to meet Penang and Kedah’s raw water needs until 2025; and the impact of climate change endangering water supply security in Penang.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi