Water supply in Penang back to normal, says Penang Water Supply Corp

GEORGE TOWN: Water supply had been normalised for all 660,000 registered water consumers in Penang, says the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).

Its chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said water supply was restored at 11pm on Monday (July 11).

“Treated water production at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), has been optimised and is now producing an average of 988 MLD (million litres per day).

“As such, the majority of existing water supply issues are primarily related to Penang’s water distribution infrastructure, which includes 4,696km of pipelines (above 100mm), 59 treated water reservoirs, 42 treated water towers and 95 booster pumping stations,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 12).

Jaseni added that PBAPP is now focusing on rectifying issues such as leaking or burst pipelines, releasing pipeline “air locks”, re-starting and repairing pump stations and cleaning up choked meter positions.

PBAPP advised those still affected by water supply issues to check for updates on pipe repairs in their area on the PBAPP Facebook page or to check with their building or property management corporations if there are internal issues.

The public can also lodge an official report by calling the PBAPP 24-Hour Call Centre at 04-255 8255.

On July 6, thousands of households were left without water because the Sungai Dua WTP had to be shut down due to the extreme turbidity of Sungai Muda caused by floodwater from Baling.

Penang Pakatan Harapan backbenchers also urged the Penang Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into the water supply crisis issue.

Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng said the water cut affected public institutions such as hospitals.

Teh acknowledged that the Baling floods polluted Penang’s water resources in Sungai Muda, but questioned PBAPP’s level of preparedness.

“To ensure that such incidents do not recur, the Penang PAC Committee must investigate the crisis and the level of readiness of the PBA to face such a crisis,” he said.

“We, the backbenchers, fully support the PAC’s investigation in this regard, so that transparency and openness in the services of state agencies is maintained, with the state government’s ‘good governance’ policy,” he said.