THE Penang government, through its water company Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), is undertaking various water supply projects to meet the needs of water consumers in the state.
As part of the PBAPP’s Water Contingency Plan 2030 (WCP 2030), these projects aim to cater to the rising demand for water consumption among households.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the opening of Package 12A of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) today, announced that a total of RM1.18 billion would be invested in these water supply initiatives.
“This Package 12A of the Sungai Dua WTP will effectively increase Penang’s overall maximum water treatment capacity by 114 million litres per day (MLD), from 1,612 MLD to 1,726 MLD.
“This completed Package 12A project is part of the eight water supply projects designed to meet household water needs effectively.
“We expect to boost our water capacity by more than 600 MLD per day once these eight projects are completed by 2028 latest.
“We hope these projects will benefit Penangites while we await the Perak-Penang Water Project,” he told reporters after visiting the new water supply facility at Sungai Dua WTP.
Chow, who is also the PBAPP chairman, expressed confidence that these projects would help mitigate Penang’s water issues at least until 2050. He added that PBAPP is set to implement three major pipeline projects in 2025 and 2026.
The pipeline projects include a new 13.0km x 1.8m pipeline in Seberang Perai, from Sungai Dua WTP to Butterworth; a new 3.9km x 1.8m pipeline on Penang Island, from the Macallum area to the Bukit Dumbar Reservoir and Pumping Station Complex; and the Sungai Perai River Crossing Pipeline Project in Seberang Perai.
The total cost for these projects is RM189 million, aimed at improving water delivery for residents and businesses in the state, Chow said.
Chow also stressed the importance of decentralising the water distribution system to avoid over-reliance on Sungai Dua WTP.
Other upcoming projects include the construction of a new 114 MLD WTP at the expanded Mengkuang Dam in the central Seberang Perai district. Two more WTPs will be built at Sungai Muda and Sungai Kerian.
PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan affirmed the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of water consumers and businesses.
“We focus on upgrading Penang’s water distribution network to ensure the smooth delivery of treated water,” he said.
In response, Chow said the flood relief centres are still operating at the moment and are expected to close once the situation improves. He reiterated that the state does not currently have any specific guidelines or monetary assistance for flood victims.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis