THE works to install a temporary pipe diversion near the Ampang Jajar bridge are expected to be completed on Feb 2.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the current progress is at 50%.
“The temporary measure to divert pipes near the Ampang Jajar bridge at the top of the Sungai Perai surface has already started since Jan 13.
“We are glad that so far everything has gone smoothly and on schedule.
“The reason we want to install new pipes as a temporary measure is to address the leaking of an underwater pipeline in Sungai Perai.
“The two units of 600mm pipelines will be diverted across the Ampang Jajar bridge on the river’s surface.
“The emergency measure was taken after an assessment found that the existing underwater pipe in Sungai Perai could not be repaired,” Chow told a press conference during a site visit at the place today.
Also present were Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan, and Chow’s political secretary Lau Keng Ee.
According to Chow, when the works to install a temporary pipe diversion are completed, there will be a scheduled water supply interruption.
“Worry not, as it will be the shortest and least inconvenient scheduled water supply interruption for the connection of two units of 600mm pipelines at Sungai Perai to replace the leaking 1,350mm underwater pipeline section. We expect the connection works will take less than 24 hours.
“PBAPP will present its suggested date for the scheduled water supply interruption during the state executive council meeting on Jan 24.
“Most probably the scheduled water supply interruption date would be during the weekend and before the Chinese New Year celebration.
“The commissioning of the two units of 600mm pipelines adjacent to the Ampang Jajar bridge is an interim solution that will address the risks of a bigger leak from the leaking Sungai Perai underwater pipeline,” said Chow, adding that the scheduled water interruption will affect water supply for 120,000 account holders in the southwest district on Penang island.
Chow added that a permanent solution to replace all the underwater pipelines in Sungai Perai would be implemented when all the technical studies are completed.
“After that, we will make an official announcement about it. We expect the temporary pipe diversion can be used for between six to eight months before we start the large-scale project to replace all the underwater pipelines in Sungai Perai,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud