GEORGE TOWN: The flooding in Baling, Kedah has not affected Penang’s water supply as it is still safe, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow
He said that this is despite the increase in the turbidity of Sungai Muda, adding that current levels have not reached a point that would disrupt the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), as happened two years prior.
“The turbidity level at the Sungai Muda intake is currently at 470 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), which is manageable,” he said during a press conference at Komtar on Tuesday (Oct 15).
Chow added that the normal range for Sungai Muda is between 100 and 200 NTU, and levels above 1,000 NTU would be alarming.
In July 2022, the Baling floods caused a surge in the river’s turbidity to 3,000 NTU at the Lahar Tiang intake, causing the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to reduce the intake of raw water from Sungai Muda, which significantly impacted Penang’s primary water source.
This resulted in reduced treated water production at the Sungai Dua WTP and a subsequent water supply disruption to approximately 465,000 consumers.
