'Selangor residents fed up with water crisis'

The people of Selangor today expressed their exasperation with the state government for its inability to solve the water crisis, which has caused great inconvenience, especially to senior citizens.

A survey by Bernama around Klang found most shops and supermarkets had run out of their stocks of mineral and drinking water.      

A senior citizen who wanted to be known as Mak Tom, 69, said as a Selangor resident, she was fed up with the frequent water supply disruption as it was a big burden to her as a person with knee problems and frail health.  

Mak Tom who lives in Taman Sri Andalas here said the area had been experiencing water cuts since Tuesday and she had completely used up her stored water since then.

“I kept water as advised by Air Selangor. Use it sparingly. But when the plant broke down, the water supply cut has been extended and now I have to carry water.

"The water tanker which is supposed to come is nowhere to be seen. And I have to get my neighbours’ help to carry water as I have knee problems,” she told Bernama when met at a water distribution stand set up by Air Selangor in Jalan Sri Siantan 43, Klang today.

The survey also found more than 100 residents from Taman Seri Andalas and Taman Sri Bayu, as well as several nearby areas, rushed to the location to replenish their water supply as the disruption could go on until Sunday.

For Taman Klang apartment resident, Mazila Mat Nasir, 36, the water disruption this time caused her to carry water in six trips daily from Air Selangor tanker to her 1st-floor apartment.   

“Despite the water cut, I still have to cook for my four schoolgoing children and husband. Buying food would be too costly.  

"To reduce using water, we lay our plates with plastic sheets. Besides we do not have much space to store water as our apartment is only 700 sq ft,” she grumbled.

Describing the water disruption as more detrimental than a power failure, Mazila fervently hoped that the Selangor government would be more serious in handling the issue as it was torturous to the people who should not be shouldering such burden.

On Tuesday, Syabas said several areas around the Klang Valley would be experiencing water disruption until the next day following works to repair the Sungai Selangor Phase 3 (SSP3) water treatment plant.

However, the restoration of water supply was delayed when the Compressed Air System at SSP3 failed to function, causing five pipes measuring 1,100mm to be damaged, and two collapsed from their structure.

The incident caused 427 areas in Klang Valley, including Shah Alam, Klang, Petaling, Gombak, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat to suffer from water cuts, before supply is restored in stages from Sunday.

- Bernama