Penangites are urged to be mindful of their water usage until the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams are replenished, according to Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan.
“In March, PBAPP saw 66.5mm of rainfall in the water catchment area (WCA) of the Air Itam Dam and worked to maintain its effective capacity with the Air Itam Dam Action Plan 2024. Its effective capacity decreased by 2.0% over 31 days,” he explained.
Pathmanathan also noted that the effective capacity of the Teluk Bahang Dam decreased by 11.0% during the same period.
He mentioned that the maximum effective capacity of the Teluk Bahang Dam is 18,240 million litres (ML) while the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam is 2,160 ML.
Furthermore, Pathmanathan pointed out that a 1.0% drop in the effective capacity of the Teluk Bahang Dam is almost equal to an 8.4% drop in the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam.
He highlighted three key factors that influence the status of the Air Itam Dam and the Teluk Bahang Dam in March 2024.
According to him, under the AIDAP 2024, PBAPP has been pumping 33 million litres of treated water per day (MLD) from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) into the Air Itam service area to counteract the low effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam.
“Although 133.0mm of rainfall was recorded in the Teluk Bahang Dam WCA, compared to 66.5mm in the Air Itam WCA, the effective capacity of the dam still decreased by about 11.0% in March 2024,” he added.
Pathmanathan also highlighted that the average daily water consumption in Penang in February was 927 MLD, higher than the annual average of 877 MLD for 2023, representing an increase of 50 MLD. He suggested that the most effective way to ensure sufficient water supply in Penang in 2024 is by reducing water consumption by 10%.
Regarding the La Niña phenomenon expected to begin in May, June, or July 2024, Pathmanathan expressed uncertainty on whether the anticipated rainfall would significantly increase the effective capacities of the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam.
“Therefore, to ensure water supply stability for Penang, I appeal to all water consumers to please reduce water consumption by 10% in April, May, and June 2024.
“Your 10% water saving efforts will contribute greatly to guaranteeing adequate water supply for all of us this year,” he emphasized.
