PEOPLE’S mindset on water consumption must take a shift, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“We (Penangites) are so used to turning on the tap in great volume, only when we consume the ‘gushing water’ we feel satisfied.
“It is high time to stop this habit. It will be good if we can educate our younger generations to use water wisely (small volume) so that eventually it will become something habitual for them.
“For a ‘generational change’ we must start with water saving devices that control water flow but this is only a small effort towards saving water,” said Chow during his opening speech at the ‘World Water Day 2019’ celebration in Bukit Dumbar today.
According to Chow, taking water saving initiatives can actually help to reduce the cost.
“The ‘saved water’ can be used as a water source and can be channelled to other consumers.
“We can reduce the cost of supplying water by saving water as Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) does not need to build more water treatment plant or laying more pipes.
“If the cost increases, then it might affect the water tariff which we do not want to do.
“So, if we have a constructive approach as well as a renewed mindset to save water, we can have a good and efficient water system at a reduced cost.
“Through programmes such as this, we are trying to create the awareness on saving water among the public” added Chow.
Apart from that, Chow also stated that the state government urgently needs an alternative raw water source as the Sungai Muda may only be able to meet Kedah and Penang’s combined raw water needs until 2025.
“Our best solution is to tap the raw water from Sungai Perak as proposed in the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS).
“Penang has been asking for the SPRWTS since 2011. However, the previous government failed to implement the project.
“Now with the Pakatan Harapan-led government, we are hoping for a fast-tracked approval and implementation of the SPRWTS,” said Chow.
PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said PBAPP was working on achieving water security for Penang until 2050.
“For the period 2019 till 2021, PBAPP is planning to invest a total of RM501 million for water supply projects.
“They include the ‘3rd Butterworth to Penang Twin Submarine Pipeline Project’, the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS) and ‘Upgrading Penang’s Nine Existing Water Treatment Plants’.
“PBAPP has to invest millions in water supply infrastructure to minimise the risks of a water crisis in the future and our number one priority is not having water rationing at any cost,” said Jaseni during the press conference held after the event.
According to Jaseni, water consumption in Penang has increased by 56.7%, from 536 MLD in 1999 to 840 MLD in 2018.
“The “Masterplan Study for Potable Water Supply in Penang until 2050” shows that water demand will increase to 1,884 MLD in 2050,” added Jaseni.
Elaborating on the SPRWTS, Jaseni said Phase 1 of the SPRWTS must be commissioned by 2025.
“On March 1, representatives of the state government and the Perak government met with officials from the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS) in Putrajaya.
“Both Penang and Perak are keen on tapping Sungai Perak as a future raw water resource.
“While Penang is seeking raw water from Sungai Perak, Perak is keen to sell treated water from Sungai Perak to Penang.
“As a result, KATS has agreed to undertake technical studies to determine the best option for mutual benefit.
“They options are: Penang’s raw water proposal, Perak’s treated water proposal or a third ‘hybrid’ proposal which incorporates transfers of both raw water and treated water to Penang and Perak’s water supply infrastructure,” said Jaseni.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud