GEORGE TOWN, December 23 — The emergency steel plate clamp deployed to repair the damaged underwater 1,350mm pipeline at Sungai Perai has effectively restored water supply services to approximately 70% of the 120,000 affected consumers by 2:00 pm today. The quick action has allowed the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to resume pumping treated water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to Penang Island. A fleet of 14 tankers from PBAPP, Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS), and MBPP have been tirelessly distributing water to affected consumers since December 20, 2023.
An additional 15 out-station water tankers from various regions, including Air Kelantan, Air Selangor, Lembaga Air Perak, Pengurusan Air Pahang, Syarikat Air Johor, Syarikat Air Melaka, and Syarikat Air Terengganu, have been mobilized to supplement the relief efforts. While the emergency pipe clamp is a temporary solution with a minor on-site leak impacting Penang’s non-revenue water (NRW), the primary achievement is the resumption of sufficient water pumping to meet the island’s needs, especially during the year-end festive season.
The 27-year-old underwater pipeline, laid in 1996, faces a long-term solution with a proposed RM5 million “river crossing pipeline section” project slated for 2024. This project aims to replace a 200m pipeline section, ensuring easier maintenance and avoiding future incidents. PBAPP is set to seek approval from the PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) Board for this critical initiative, emphasizing its commitment to securing a reliable water supply for over 100,000 consumers on Penang Island.
