Water cut hits 700,000 Klang Valley households

Syabas has predicted that the water issue will continue for a long time and the rehabilitation of water supply will depend on the water levels at the treatment plants.

PETALING JAYA: Residents in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are taking out pails and water containers from their storerooms, as once again  they face water cuts.

Over 700,000 households are affected by water disruptions caused by low water levels at treatment plants in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) said Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam and Hulu Langat districts will face water cuts and low water pressure for an indefinite period of time.

A Syabas statement says the reduction in the flow of raw water from Sungai Selangor has forced the water concessionaire to reduce the water pressure to treatment plants which led to the water issue.

Some areas in Hulu Langat and Kuala Lumpur suffered water shortages and low pressure since June 17 due to production of treated water from the Sungai Semenyih and Sungai Langat treatment plants which could not meet the demand.

Some areas in Klang/Shah Alam also experienced water shortages and low pressure on June 24 due to the temporary closure of the Sungai Selangor Phase 1 treatment plant managed by the  Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH).

Syabas says this was due to the interruption of electricity supply from 4am to 6am the same day at the water treatment plant. This resulted in the reduction of treated water from the plant. The water supply to the affected areas is still not fully restored.

Several areas in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur and Petaling experienced water shortages and low pressure from June 25 due to the reduced treated water production from Sungai Selangor Phase 3, which was due to the rapid drop in the level of flow of raw water from Sungai Selangor.

“The water cut is inevitable as there is no alternative water sources that could be channelled to the affected areas,” the statement said.

Syabas has predicted that the water issue will continue for a long time and the rehabilitation of water supply will depend on the water levels at the treatment plants.

Consumers are advised to use water wisely and to reduce usage where possible.

Syabas will be deploying water lorries and static tanks during emergencies but the resources are limited, as such priority will be given to places such as hospitals and dialysis centres.