GEORGE TOWN, February 2 — The Penang government is formulating action plans to tackle the decreasing water level at the Air Itam Dam. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow revealed that strategies include re-diverting water supply by pumping from the Sungai Dua water treatment plant and other dams to replenish the Air Itam Dam’s effective water capacity for distribution to surrounding areas.
Chow assured that despite the declining level, there are alternative water sources like the Sungai Dua water treatment plant and Teluk Bahang Dam, ensuring a consistent water supply to prevent shortages in affected areas. Currently supplying water to approximately 170,000 residents in the Air Itam, Paya Terubong, and Jalan Masjid Negeri areas, the Air Itam Dam is vital for the region. In addition to re-diverting water, the Penang government is exploring cloud seeding as an alternative measure.
A meeting is scheduled with the Penang Water Supply Corporation CEO, K. Pathmanathan, to discuss plans and ensure adequate water supply to the affected regions. The Air Itam Dam’s capacity dropped to Alert Level 2 due to hot weather and increased pumping after disruptions caused by a leaked Sungai Prai pipeline. The burst pipe incident in Sungai Prai on December 18 led to increased usage and a drop in the dam’s water level from 83% on December 1 to 66.7% on January 5.
