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GEORGE TOWN – The effective capacity of two main dams in Penang, the Teluk Bahang Dam and the Air Itam Dam here are currently at 50% due to low rainfall in the area.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said that the effective capacity of Air Itam Dam was 51.8% while Teluk Bahang Dam was at 51.3%.
“The amount of rainfall in the dams’ catchment areas for January, February and March this year was 129mm for Air Itam Dam and 251mm for Teluk Bahang Dam.
“As such, consumers in the state are advised to use water prudently till heavy rains occur to refill the dams,” he said in a statement today, adding that the average daily water usage for Penang in January was 875 million litres, and for February, it was 944 million litres.
Pathmanathan said the numbers showed that the reduced capacity of both dams is due to low rainfall in water catchment areas and high demand, and they are implementing several measures, including optimising drawing raw water from Sg Muda and treated water supply from the Sg Dua water treatment plant, as a response.
“PBAPP also pumped more treated water from the Sg Dua water treatment plant to Penang from three sets of undersea dual pipes to ensure the water supply to the island.
“We also have minimised the release of raw water from Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam as best as possible without affecting water supply service,” he said.
He added that they would boost dry weather controls to maintain the effective capacity of both dams strategically for as long as possible.
“We will also reschedule pipe work to minimise water wastage and to respond to public complaints about burst pipes as soon as possible.
“We also have contingency plans to tackle water demand in areas of high elevation and at the ends of distribution pipes if the dry weather persists,” he said. – Bernama, April 11, 2023