GEORGE TOWN, June 23 – Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) is taking proactive measures to address water supply complaints in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) through the implementation of four projects this year. These projects, known as the SPS 2023 Response Plan (SPS 2023RP), will serve as interim solutions to alleviate water supply issues for more than 14,000 consumers in SPS.
The details of the four projects under PBAPP’s SPS 2023RP are as the new 10 million litres per day (MLD) DAF Plant at Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with an investment of RM18.6 million. This project is expected to benefit 12,660 SPS consumers and is scheduled for completion in August 2023. 2.4 MLD “compact WTP” at Sungai Kerian with an investment of RM4.0 million. It will benefit 1,749 SPS consumers and is expected to be completed in January 2024.
New suction tanks at Taman Widuri and Taman Wellesley Pumping Stations with an investment of RM1.2 million. This project will benefit 3,495 SPS consumers and is scheduled for completion in October 2023. Two “portable WTPs” at Taman Sungai Duri Indah with a total capacity of 0.25 MLD and an investment of RM0.8 million. These portable WTPs will benefit 338 SPS consumers and will be completed in June 2023. The total investment for the SPS 2023RP amounts to approximately RM24 million.
In November 2022, PBAPP completed the RM840,000 Permatang Tinggi Temporary Pumping Station project, which aimed to alleviate water supply issues in various areas of SPS. In January 2024, PBAPP will evaluate the effectiveness of the SPS 2023RP projects in resolving water supply issues reported by consumers in SPS. If necessary, additional funds will be allocated to implement more interim projects in SPS in 2024 and 2025 to meet the needs of SPS water consumers.
PBAPP is also planning to construct the new Sungai Kerian WTP (Phase 1) in SPS to address the high water demand until the year 2030. The key details of this new WTP are as follows: Sungai Kerian WTP (Phase 1) will utilize raw water resource from Sungai Kerian, SPS, and will have a water treatment capacity of 114 MLD. The plant will exclusively serve SPS with 55,000 consumers expected to be served. The total investment for the project, including land acquisition and ancillary engineering works, is estimated at RM171 million.
The targeted completion year for the Sungai Kerian WTP (Phase 1) is 2027. However, PBAPP is seeking the support and cooperation of the Penang State Land and Mines Office (LMO) to expedite the land acquisition procedures near Sungai Kerian. By doing so, PBAPP aims to commission the Sungai Kerian WTP (Phase 1) by 2025 or 2026. PBAPP is fully prepared to invest in the Sungai Kerian WTP (Phase 1).
If collaboration with the Penang State Government and the LMO can fast-track this project, PBAPP will expedite the construction and commissioning of the new plant to benefit the 55,000 water consumers in SPS as soon as possible.
