RESIDENTS in Taman Tangling and Taman Belipis, Simpang Ampat, expressed their appreciation to the Penang government, particularly Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), for the swift restoration of their water supply today, ahead of the initially projected timeline.
On Jan 10, PBAPP shut down its Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant to replace two leaking valves, each measuring 1.2m in diameter.
It announced that the water supply would be restored in stages from today, with full restoration by Jan 14.
During the shutdown, PBAPP seized the opportunity to conduct additional water repair works at 22 locations throughout the state of Penang, albeit on a smaller scale.
By late afternoon yesterday, both valves were successfully replaced, and repair works at 19 out of 22 locations were completed.
R. Kunasekaran, a retired supervisor with the National Registration Department, said his house in Taman Tangling received the water supply at 9.30am today, surpassing his expectations.
“I salute the PBAPP, CM Chow and his exco for their excellent planning. The arrival of the water supply early today was beyond our expectations.
“I appreciate their commitment to good governance. I believe the general public shares this sentiment. Despite being under tremendous pressure, the chief minister maintained his composure. That somehow cools down public concerns.
“His regular updates keep the public informed about the progress of the water situation during this significant challenge. Managing a water shutdown is a massive undertaking.
“Such shutdowns are not uncommon even in advanced countries like the United States, Germany and Singapore, and Penang is no exception.
“The water that we receive today is clean, odour free and of good quality. In the US, the water sometimes carries a diesel smell,” Kunasekaran, 70, told Buletin Mutiara.
Upon discovering that the static tank near the Taman Belipis Library had been depleted of water, Kunasekaran took action by contacting Taman Belipis Rukun Tetangga chairman Mohd Zaini Yusoff.
Mohd Zaini, in turn, reached out to the Simpang Ampat Voluntary Fire Brigade to refill the tank, and they promptly did.
“This is a relief for many residents here who have not been able to store a lot of water. For instance, the 800 people living in the nearby four blocks of Taman Belipis Flats still have no water supply yet. The flats’ water tanks are not working. So, the water from the static tank benefits them,” Mohd Zaini said.
Jenny Goh, proprietor of Restoran Tangling, a coffee shop in Taman Tangling, also commended Chow, the state government and PBAPP.
She said her house had already received water supply when she woke up at about 4am today.
“I did not expect the water supply to be restored so early. I thought it was going to be on Saturday, but I heard some residents had even received their water supply around midnight.
“I am very happy and appreciative of the efforts by our chief minister and PBAPP workers. I praised them on my Facebook page,” said Goh, whose shop is renowned for a variety of buns.
Bukit Tenggah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung, too, praised PBAPP for ‘a very good job done.’
“They were thoroughly prepared to address the water issues, with all the necessary equipment already in place for the works to be carried out.
“Special thanks go also to the voluntary fire brigades and the MPKK.
“In Bukit Tengah, we have installed 23 static tanks and one jumbo tank. By 11am today, 90% of Bukit Tengah have received their water supply, except for south Juru where the water pressure is still low,” Gooi said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis