Tonton Dfm2u
A major water cut that affected nearly 100,000 accounts in Seberang Perai for 17 days early last month was caused by a water leak from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), the state assembly heard today.
Zairil Khir Johari, chairman of the state’s water resources committee, said TNB contractors accidentally plugged a large pipe on September 19, causing the 1.2m diameter pipe to burst. “It is 15m underground or at least five floors below. TNB was playing a straight line (external exit) when it hit the pipe,” he said in response to a supplementary question from Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun). “It took some time to re-install the new pipe because of the difficulties as it had to be ordered and installed next to the bridge. »
The Penang Water Supply Company spent RM2 million to repair a section of the pipeline near Seberang Peri Polytechnic, which affected many areas in Juru and the entire Seberang Peri South region.
About 97,000 accounts were affected, with a repair on October 5. In another update, Zairil revealed that six new water treatment plants will be built in the coming years, with a combined capacity of 600 million litres per day (MLD).
He said that on an average, 1,198 MLD of treated water is being supplied to the state. Penang’s average water consumption in 2023 is 877 MLD.
Goh also suggested that the Penang government consider setting up a guaranteed water supply system, based on the number of building permits issued in a given area.
