THE National Water Services Commission (SPAN) is actively coordinating the deployment of water tankers from various states to assist with the scheduled 96-hour water supply disruptions in Penang.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will be carrying out valve replacement works at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant (WTP) and related repairs at several other locations along the main pipeline. Water supply disruptions are expected from Jan 10 to 14.
Water supply for about 590,000 affected consumers during the scheduled disruption from Jan 10 is expected to be restored gradually over 48 to 96 hours. The recovery timeline is determined by each consumer’s proximity to the Sungai Dua WTP and their location to major state water supply infrastructure.
Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state requested more mobile water tankers from SPAN to face the impending (Jan 10 to 14) water disruptions, compared to last month.
Some 200,000 water consumers in the southwest district and Seberang Perai experienced water supply disruption for a few days after a section of pipe located at the bottom of Sungai Perai burst Dec 18, 2023, morning.
“Last month (December 2023), SPAN supplied 15 mobile water tankers to Penang. We request more this time,” he told reporters after attending the Penang Internet Exchange (PIX) launching ceremony at Jen Hotel today.
Zairil said the total number of water tankers was still being finalised.
“We have to deal with SPAN and the Commission will coordinate with the various states,” he added.
Zairil also said that critical areas and centres such as those at the ‘end-of-the-line’ (for example: south Seberang Perai, Balik Pulau, Sungai Ara); hospitals; clinics, dialysis centres, homes for senior citizens; and prisons would be given focus.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar