NIBONG TEBAL: Residents of Nibong Tebal can look forward to the end of water shortages during peak hours as the completion of several major projects by the state is set to resolve the issue. These projects, with a total cost of approximately RM25mil, are currently underway and will benefit 18,242 users by January. Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) CEO Pathmanathan Krishnan Kutty Raman Nair stated that the projects will restore water pressure in affected areas and support future development needs.
The state government has been presented with the SPS Action Plan 2023 by PBAPP, which outlines four targeted projects aimed at resolving the water shortage. These include the construction of a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) plant at the Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant (WTP), with a capacity of 10 million litres per day (MLD) and a budget of RM18.6mil. Additionally, a compact WTP in Sungai Kerian with a capacity of 2.4 MLD and a cost of RM4mil is being implemented. New suction tanks in the Pumping Station of Taman Widuri and Taman Wellesley, costing RM1.2mil, and a portable WTP in Taman Sungai Duri Indah, with a budget of RM800,000, will also be completed by January.
According to Pathmanathan, while these four projects are in progress, a temporary pumping station in Permatang Tinggi was already completed in November last year. Furthermore, PBAPP has planned a long-term solution in the form of a water treatment plant (WTP) with a capacity of 141 million litres daily (MLD), which will benefit 55,000 users in the south Seberang Prai district.
The south Seberang Prai district has faced water scarcity issues for years due to Penang’s primary water source being Sungai Muda in the north. The problem of low water pressure has recently become a focal point in the political campaign of Penang PAS. A viral video showing residents expressing their grievances about the water shortage has further highlighted the severity of the issue.
Residents in various neighborhoods have been affected by the low water pressure. Mechanic Mohd Shafwan Abdul Rahim, 39, from Taman Seruling Emas, shared that the drop in water pressure typically occurs between 7pm and midnight. He added, “At times, supply would be cut off entirely. I have to always remember to store water during the day. We store them in large plastic bins.” Technician S. Chandran Morgan, 43, from Taman Widuri, mentioned driving to his mother’s house in Kampung Trans Krian, around 12km away, whenever the water supply at his home is disrupted.
Sungai Bakap assemblyman Datuk Dr Amar Pritpal attributed the water scarcity issue to the rapid growth of industrial areas in the region, especially during the pandemic. Amar urged opposition parties to focus on providing solutions rather than solely highlighting the problems. Penang Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman Oh Tong Keong, who recently met with locals, expressed disappointment over the lack of initiatives to address the issue. He remarked, “The major utilities in the area were built in the early 80s and are in desperate need of upgrades. The slow response from the state reflects their lack of attention to the needs of the people.”
Credit: The Star : News Feed
