GEORGE TOWN, October 3 – Penang’s water supply remained uninterrupted despite the heavy floods in Baling, Kedah, thanks to prompt action taken by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP). The floods caused an abnormal increase in the turbidity of Sungai Muda, Penang’s primary water source, but PBAPP managed to avert a potential water supply issue.
By drawing water from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam to dilute the murky water entering the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), PBAPP ensured the continuous production of treated water. As of 1:00 am today, PBAPP’s emergency response plan (ERP) successfully kept the Sungai Dua WTP operational, despite the turbidity levels in Sungai Muda rising from 400 NTU to over 700 NTU.
“Our proactive approach allowed us to avoid an unscheduled water supply interruption, a problem we faced during a similar incident in 2022 that affected 465,000 consumers,” said Dato’ Ir. Pathmanathan K., CEO of PBAPP and PBA Holdings Bhd. PBAPP will continue monitoring water quality and maintain its ERP for the next 48 hours to ensure that no unexpected issues arise.
This swift action underscores the lessons learned from previous floods and the importance of being prepared for future contingencies.
