CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow today told water consumers living in the south Seberang Perai district to remain calm as the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) had recently introduced the ‘SPS Water Supply Contingency Plan’ following the issue of water shortage in the said district, affecting residential areas.
Several days ago, in a Facebook posting, PBAPP announced that the contingency plan, which was implemented on May 26, would prioritise water supply to all registered domestic water consumers residing in the south for 12 hours, from 6pm to 6am daily.
“Consumers are advised to store water during the said period so that the next day, from 6am to 6pm, they are able to use the stored water.
“As mentioned by PBAPP in their recently shared statement, water supply during these overnight hours will be regulated to the Batu Kawan and Bukit Minyak industrial areas as more water will be pumped to the residential areas.
“During the day, priority will be given to the industrial areas,” Chow said in his speech during the Hari Raya celebrations, courtesy of the Sungai Bakap state constituency in Simpang Ampat today.
Chow said another reason apart from the high water demand due to the hot weather and increase in consumers during the festive season, is the people’s awareness of not having their own water tanks.
“It is one of PBAPP’s requirements that each house should have a tank that is able to store water that can be used for a day.
“Since factories use a lot more than residential areas, they are required to have tanks that can store water that can be utilised for two days.
“If these requirements are taken seriously by everyone, it will surely help when the issue of shortage of water supply arises.
“If our television is spoilt, we take the effort to replace it with a new one. If our utensils are no longer in a state of proper use, we get new ones, but do we take the effort to replace our water tanks if they are damaged?
“This is the issue that we need to improve on to face such unforeseen circumstances,” Chow added.
As for companies, Chow sternly reminded them there would be no compromise if they fail to comply with the requirement of having a water tank.
“The contingency plan just started a couple of days ago. It is my humble request to those affected here to stay patient as PBAPP is working to address this issue.
“As for the short-term solution, PBAPP is currently deploying water tankers to affected areas in the south Seberang Perai district,” Chow added.
Earlier, Chow presented Raya packets to children aged 12 and below during the Raya celebrations in Simpang Ampat.
Also present during the event were Sungai Bakap assemblyman Datuk Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar