GEORGE TOWN, July 19 – PBAPP is drawing down water from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD) in Seberang Perai to maintain a stable water supply throughout Penang. This action comes after the Sungai Muda river level dropped below the 2.0m “safe level” for four consecutive days. The EMD, with a maximum drawdown capacity of 600 million litres per day (MLD), has been supplying an average of 41 MLD since July 13, 2024, to supplement raw water abstraction from Sungai Muda.
The water is directed to the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant, which serves about 465,000 consumers across Seberang Perai, Daerah Timur Laut, and Daerah Barat Daya on Penang Island. Despite these measures, the effective capacity of the Muda Dam in Kedah, which feeds into Sungai Muda, was reported at 25.7% on July 12, 2024, raising concerns over sustained water supply. PBAPP is on high alert and closely monitoring the situation, urging consumers to use water wisely.
CEO Ir. Pathmanathan K highlighted that while the current drawdowns from the EMD ensure adequate treated water production, the cooperation of the public is essential in light of the depleted reserves and low river levels.
