WITH limited water resources, all Penang consumers have been urged to develop the habit of saving water to save money and avoid water rationing.
One of the Penang Water Supply Corporation’s (PBAPP) missions is to continue to supply water to as many Penang residents as possible every day, especially the lower income group.
Water levels at the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam are declining. The Air Itam Dam, which serves the Air Itam township and Paya Terubong valley and surrounding areas, has sufficient water to meet the needs of the residents for another 48 days.
The authorities are considering cloud seeding if the effective level of the Air Itam Dam falls below 40%.
Penang draws 80% of its raw water from Sungai Muda which flows down from its northern neighbour Kedah. As it is now, the level of Sungai Muda has fallen below the alert level of 2m. Sometimes, Kedah releases water into Sungai Muda from the Muda Dam and Beris Dam to meet the demands of both Kedah and Penang.
With the uncertainty of whether the situation will improve, Buletin Mutiara spoke to some Penang residents for their take on the water issue.
Below are their views:
Ting Tong Mew, 73, retired oil palm worker
“If a person is prudent, he will always save water but if he a waster, he will continue to waste water. It’s very difficult to change a person’s attitude.
“My family recycles used water from the bathroom to flush the toilet. When you see a tap running non-stop in coffee shops, it is a sheer waste.
“Our water bill comes to about RM11 every two months. We’ve only three persons living the apartment. If the water tariff is raised a bit, I feel it’s okay. But not too high, or else people will not have good words for the state government.”
Mazurah Pawanchi, 51, coffee stall operator in Komtar
“We had tried out using paper cups to serve our customers, but they did not like them. Besides being convenient to us, we would have saved some water without having to wash the cups.
“For two months’ water usage, I pay below RM40 for my household and below RM100 for my business. I don’t really know whether it’s a good idea for water tariff hike. I just follow the majority.”
B. Jeyanthi, 46, cleaner
“As I stay alone at the Green Garden Apartment (Paya Terubong), I pay only RM5 for two months’ of water usage.
“I can only open one tap at a time in my unit. If you open two taps at the same time, no water will flow out from the second tap. So every night, I have to use some pails to collect water.
“I’ve seen water flowing freely out of burst pipes outside my apartment. Burst pipes must be repaired as quickly as possible.”
Abdul Jalil Mat Rejab, 56, retired soldier
“MBPP (Penang Island City Council) must ensure that underground pipes don’t leak after the upgrading of monsoon drains, especially at the construction sites.
“Once the drains are sealed by the contractor, you cannot see the water leaking from the underground pipes. That will be a terrible loss.
“Car wash need to be cut down probably to once a week, or a month, to prevent water rationing.
“At this period of time, I’m not in favour of an increase in water tariff.”
Fatin Ayuni, 31, Rapid Penang constable
“To save water, the government should give a water barrel each to every household. They can store rainwater. Through this method, users will appreciate water and use it at the right time.”
Haniza Adzmi, 37, contractor in Penang island
“Water is very important at this time. However, during this hot weather, it’s hard to save water but we have no choice if we want to have an adequate supply for everyone.
“The government’s intention to raise water tariff will make the people use water conservatively. It will also make people realise the importance of water.”
Gurmandev Singh, 27, special officer
“We should try to reduce our daily water usage. For example, we don’t have to wash the car often and we can use rainwater instead.
“We must start practising how to save water, like turning off the tap while brushing our teeth, or using the washing machine only when there is a full load of clothes.
“The government should have more programmes to educate people on the importance of water usage and I think many people are not really aware of how serious the issue is.”
T. Navainthran, 52, taxi driver
“Watering plants is not necessary. Instead of using tap water, use rainwater. My neighbour spends about one to two hours doing so and I feel that is wasteful.
“No problem with the quality of water in Penang. It is very good.
“The water situation in Penang is getting worse. The government must do something to create an awareness among the public on the importance of water.”
Ng Siew Mei, 26, salesgirl
“Don’t use too much water. Don’t use it on unnecessary things. Save whatever water that can be saved.”
Sim Zhi Qi, 21, Wawasan Open University College student
“The government can limit water usage. If it costs about RM200-RM300 for the community centre, they should be charged extra for the water usage. This will absolutely reduce unnecessary water usage among the public.
“One way to save water is to close the tap when brushing the teeth. It will save a lot of water.”
Nur Izyan Zulkifli, 23, student
“Use water when it is needed only. The government should have alternative ways, like giving out water barrels to the public to store rainwater. Indeed, they should also be doing some early preparation to avoid any drastic measures to be taken.”
Story by K.H. Ong & J. Kirrthana
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan & J. Kirrthana