GEORGE TOWN, January 17 – The effective capacities of the three key dams in the state of Penang are low, due to low rainfall last year. As of January 11, 2023, the effective capacities of the Mengkuang Dam, Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam are as follows:
| Dam | Effective Capacityon 14.1.2020 | |
| 1 | Air Itam Dam | 84.7% |
| 2 | Teluk Bahang Dam | 64.2% |
| 3 | Mengkuang Dam | 87.2% |
| Comparison of dam effective capacities in 2023 vs. 3 previous years. | |||||
| Dam | 11.1.2023 | 11.1.2022 | 11.1.2021 | 11.1.2020 | |
| 1 | Air Itam Dam | 84.7% | 84.1% | 96.2% | 62.5% |
| 2 | Teluk Bahang Dam | 64.2% | 86.4% | 60.0% | 40.4% |
| 3 | Mengkuang Dam | 87.2% | 92.8% | 94.2% | 73.9% |
The contributing factor for low dam effective capacity specifically at Teluk Bahang Dam was the water supply crisis at the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and water interruption which required PBAPP to maximise raw water drawdown from Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam. The optimal level of the dams is above 90%. It was also due to low rainfall at the dams’ water catchment areas. In the period from September to December 2022, the total rainfall recorded at the Air Itam Dam was 873.5mm.
The total rainfall recorded at the Mengkuang Dam in the period September to December 2022 was 1,541mm. However, the total rainfall recorded at the Teluk Bahang Dam in the period September to December 2022 was slightly higher at 1,169mm, compared to 1,058.5mm in 2021. The following table compares the total rainfall in September to December 2022 against the corresponding period in 2021, 2020 and 2019:
| Comparison of total rainfall recorded in dam water catchment areas for the period September to December 2022 vs. 3 previous years. | |||||
| Dam | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| 1 | Mengkuang Dam | 1,541mm | 2,502mm | 3,053mm | 3,565mm |
| 2 | Air Itam Dam | 873.5mm | 964.5mm | 967.5mm | 702mm |
| 3 | Teluk Bahang Dam | 1,169mm | 1,058.5mm | 1,481mm | 1,732mm |
For the record, the cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall over dams and water catchment areas was not carried out in 2022 and it is critical for it to be carried out in 2023. In order to meet water demand during the 2022 year-end festive period, and the coming Chinese New Year, PBAPP has been optimising the production of treated water in the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant on the mainland, and pumped more treated water to the island and Seberang Perai.
To meet the water demand which is most likely to increase during the festive and long weekend holidays, PBAPP is ready to release more water from Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam while closely monitoring the dam water level for any unforeseen incidents. PBAPP will not schedule any pipe works (Scheduled Water Interruption) until after Chinese New Year so that consumers could perform their spring-cleaning uninterruptedly and celebrate it with family and friends.
However, please note that this does not include unexpected or emergency pipe repair works (Unscheduled) that need to be carried out. Please adopt the following key practices immediately to reduce water consumption:
- Avoid using a hose to clean your home or wash your vehicle. Use a broom and a mop to clean your home. Wash your car or motorcycle less often, and use a bucket and sponge when you do so.
- Do not use a hose to water your garden or plants every day. Use a watering can instead.
- Do not leave a tap running. Shut off every tap after use and kindly teach your children to follow your example.
- Fix all leaking taps, pipes or toilet systems in your home immediately.
In addition to that, PBAPP urges all domestic consumers to ensure their houses and premises are equipped with one-day storage tanks for usage during emergencies. For non-domestic water consumers, storage tanks for 48-hour usage are required to be installed in their premises. This is to comply with the Water Service Industry Act 2006 and SPAN’s Uniform Technical Guideline (SPAN UTG).
