WATER levels at Penang’s three main reservoirs remain safe despite the recent hot weather.
As of today, the Air Itam Dam recorded a level of 79.4%, the Teluk Bahang Dam stood at 61.6%, and the expanded Mengkuang Dam was at 90.9%.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has announced the continuation of the Air Itam Dam Action Plan (AIDAP) in 2025 to prevent water shortages in Air Itam, Farlim, and surrounding areas.
PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan explained that the primary goal of AIDAP is to enhance the capacity of the Air Itam Dam.
“The success of AIDAP last year ensured uninterrupted water supply or shortages in Air Itam and Farlim during the El Nino phenomenon.
“In 2025, PBAPP is prepared for any eventualities, including unpredictable weather conditions. Importantly, we urge the public to conserve water to maintain effective dam capacity and ensure water savings,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The Air Itam Dam, operational since 1963, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,159 million litres (ML), significantly smaller than the Teluk Bahang Dam’s 18,240 ML and the expanded Mengkuang Dam’s 86,400 ML.
Pathmanathan stated that PBAPP would continue implementing three key AIDAP protocols this year.
These protocols include limiting the daily water release from the Air Itam Dam to 22 million litres (MLD) and pumping up to 33 MLD of treated water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (LRA) in Seberang Perai to support the Air Itam Dam area.
He also noted that PBAPP would optimise the production of treated water at the Air Itam LRA, depending on the availability of raw water from two additional sources.
Pathmanathan highlighted that Penang’s average domestic water consumption in 2023 was 284 litres per capita per day (LCD), significantly higher than the national average of 237 LCD and Singapore’s 141 LCD.
“High per capita domestic consumption has implications, including higher risk of a water crisis when users consume more than what the dams can supply during dry seasons,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) forecasts no drastic weather changes in Penang, unlike some areas, particularly along the East Coast. The weather in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia is expected to remain hot with average rainfall levels.