GEORGE TOWN, February 15 – In response to reported water cuts and burst pipelines affecting Penangites, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is urging the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to prioritize preventive maintenance for its aging water infrastructure. CAP emphasizes the importance of a proactive approach, urging PBAPP to systematically replace old pipes and valves to prevent water leakage, soil erosion, and sinkhole formation.
While PBAPP has announced plans for a new pipeline above the river surface, CAP underscores the disadvantages of underwater pipelines, advocating for consistent mapping, checks, and replacement of leaking pipes to ensure water system reliability. Despite having the country’s lowest water tariff, CAP reminds consumers not to waste water. In 2021, each person in Penang used an average of 305 liters of domestic water per day, exceeding the 300 liters per capita per day mark for the first time since 1999.
To address water conservation, CAP suggests the introduction of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings, emphasizing the need for PBAPP to actively engage in preventive maintenance for both main and distribution pipelines.
