GEORGE TOWN, April 16 — Penang’s water regulatory body, PBAPP, has revealed that the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam has decreased by 2.5% over the past 70 days, marking a drop from 32.8% to 30.3%. This decline is attributed to the implementation of the Air Itam Dam Action Plan 2024 (AIDAP 2024), aimed at managing water resources amidst changing environmental conditions.PBAPP has adjusted its strategies, including reducing average daily raw water drawdowns from the Air Itam Dam and pumping water from alternative sources, to mitigate the impact of declining reservoir levels.
While the current effective capacity stands at 30.3%, PBAPP emphasizes that this figure does not equate to a specific number of days of water supply and assures consumers that water services remain normal in the Air Itam service area. Looking ahead, PBAPP urges consumers to conserve water by 10% in April, May, and June 2024, and anticipates higher rainfall in the coming months with the transition from the El Niño to La Niña weather phenomenon.
