WATER supply is anticipated to be restored to the majority of the Southwest district of Penang island by noon tomorrow, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Chow said the water supply should resume from tomorrow morning until noon.
Currently, he reported that 70% of the users in the Southwest district already have the water supply, thanks to the authorities’ efforts in reducing water pressure.
He said three new leaks were identified in the pipe, which lies in the riverbed of Sungai Perai, at 10am this morning, disrupting the water supply to the Southwest district.
He expressed hope that the impact would be minimised from tomorrow morning till noon.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), a state-owned company responsible for water supply services in the state, deployed a team of 16 divers to repair the pipe when it initially burst on Wednesday.
“The 30-year-old pipe supplies 40% of the island’s water needs. Disruption of water supply following the burst pipe in Sungai Perai only affects the Southwest district and will not affect the Seberang Perai area and most areas of the Northeast district. Areas that have obtained water supply will not be affected.
“Based on the assessment, the existing pipe is no longer repairable, and the next course of action is to divert a temporary 900 millimeter (mm) diameter pipe across the Ampang Jajar bridge at the top of the river surface.
“To prevent the water supply from being interrupted, the authorities have reduced the water pressure so that users at least have water available. Water restoration for the Southwest district will continue.
“Therefore, residents in the Southwest region are advised to continue to store enough water to face any eventuality,” Chow said in his speech at the Penang Hainan Association’s 158th Anniversary Dinner celebration at the Penang Chinese Town Hall tonight.
Apologising to the Southwest district residents, Chow said had it not been for the pipe leak, they would have received the water supply by midnight today.
PBAPP shut down the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant to replace two leaking valves and conduct 22 other minor repair works across the state from Jan 10. It scheduled a four-day water disruption, ending on Jan 14.
Chow expressed the hope that local residents would be patient while the authorities would work hard to minimise the impact.
“In any case, I thank everyone for their solidarity and community spirit during this crisis. I hope that after this test, everyone will cherish water more, and PBAPP will continue to improve to provide better quality water to the people,” Chow said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En