THE Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has outlined the four stages of targeted water supply recovery in view of the scheduled water supply disruption from Jan 10 to 14 next month.
PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the physical works to replace two units of leaking 1,200mm control valves at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) would take place between 6am on Jan 10 and 6am on Jan 11.
“During this period, waterworks, and preventive maintenance projects at 22 other locations throughout Penang will also be conducted.
“As for the targeted water supply recovery, Stage One will involve 197,025 water consumers in Seberang Perai. They include non-domestic water consumers in Butterworth and Perai. These areas are expected to receive water from 6am on Jan 12.
“Stage Two (a total of 495,065 water consumers on Penang island and Seberang Perai) includes major non-domestic water consumers in George Town and the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone (FTZ). The consumers are expected to receive water from 6am on Jan 13. This would mean 84% of the 590,000 affected consumers would have already received water by Jan 13.
“We aim at supplying 99% of the 590,000 affected water consumers on Penang island and Seberang Perai (Stage Three) by Jan 14. We will also strive to supply water to the consumers residing at the end-of-line and on higher ground (Stage Four),” he told a media conference at the Sungai Dua WTP today.
He stressed that PBAPP’s projected water supply services recovery in stages was based primarily on the consumers’ proximity to the Sungai Dua WTP or the major Penang water supply infrastructure such as the treated water reservoirs and pump stations in Batu Kawan, Bukit Minyak, Bukit Dumbar, and Bukit Gedung.
“Please note that PBAPP may not target simultaneous recovery of water supply services for all affected consumers because of the key reasons – major pump houses may only be re-started, in pre-set sequences, only after empty reservoirs are refilled with sufficient volumes of treated water; treated water from the Sungai Dua WTP must be pumped through thousands of kilometres of underground pipelines to reach all 590,000 water consumers in various districts and areas in the state; and PBAPP will have to address all issues related to proper refilling of reservoirs, pipeline pressurisation, potential burst pipes and release of ‘air-locks’ in all pipelines before achieving 100% water supply recovery status,” Pathmanathan explained.
He also warned of potential challenges, including the risk of unusually high water demand during the recovery process, causing delays in pressurising pipelines and refilling depleted reservoirs.
Additionally, he highlighted the concern of old pipelines bursting due to increased water pumping pressures during restart, as well as the likelihood of encountering more ‘air-locks’ than anticipated when refilling treated water into empty pipelines.
“We recommend that consumers store sufficient water for a four-day period to expedite the recovery of water supply services,” Pathmanathan said.
Pathmanathan reiterated that the Sungai Dua WTP shutdown to replace two units of leaking 1,200mm control valves was a critical preventive measure to avert breakdowns.
“The two 1,200mm control valves at Sungai Dua WTP are leaking significantly, posing a potential burst threat at any time, even during inconvenient hours or major festivals.
“Swift replacement is imperative to forestall mishaps. While PBAPP recognises the inconvenience of scheduled water supply interruptions and aims to minimise public critique, the urgency of the matter necessitates understanding and cooperation from the people of Penang.
“The timely replacement of these valves is essential for urgent water works,” he emphasised.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar