Amid MCO, Span monitoring areas hit with water disruptions, rationing

The National Water Service Commission (Span) has identified several areas with water disruptions or water rationing during the movement control order (MCO) and is committed to monitoring the situation with the help of all relevant agencies.

“Span is working closely with all relevant agencies and water operators.

“The water supply conditions and the dams’ levels in each state were closely monitored.

“The water operators’ hotlines for all states have been established to assist the consumers,” the commission said to Malaysiakini today.

Span noted that Malacca, Johor, Langkawi and Labuan have scheduled water rationing during this period, adding that this is due to the prolonged dry spell.

As of March 19, Malacca is still exercising the scheduled water rationing which started on Jan 29. The rationing is expected to last till March 31.

The rationing has affected 550,673 locals or 62.8 percent of the total population in all three districts in Malacca.

The Durian Tunggal dam was at 23.07 metres compared to its critical level at 25.13 metres.

Meanwhile, in Johor, there are three dams under the critical levels, which are the Upper Layang dam at 21.32 metres, Lebam dam at 11.68 metres and Gunung Ledang dam at 304.65 metres.

“This was due to prolonged drought and lack of rainfall. Scheduled water rationing will start at the Kota Tinggi district from March 27 to April 26,” Span said.

Langkawi had two water treatment plants (WTP), Pulau Tuba WTP and Padang Saga 2 WTP which have stopped operating, while the Padang Saga 3 WTP has reduced its production.

Again, Span said this was due to lack of rainfall and added that 11,000 domestic accounts were affected due to the rationing exercise which started on March 13.

The Federal Territories of Labuan has been experiencing water rationing since March 24 due to the drop of Padas River level following the dry spell.

In Selangor, Span said the water disruption which happened on March 17 at certain areas of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were due to four WTPs having to be shut down following an incident of odour pollution in Sungai Selangor.

This morning, there was a case of a suspected oil spill at Sungai Selangor which caused three of the WTPs to cease operations for a few hours.

The three plants became fully operational again around 11.55am today after the suspected oil spill was contained at the river.

Span noted that all dams in Selangor are at a level between 85 to 95 percent.

The commission also noted a particular case of unscheduled water interruption at one of the condominiums in Kampung Kerinchi, Lembah Pantai.

An individual claiming to be a resident at the condominium had first brought the matter of an unscheduled water disruption to Malaysiakini’s attention today.

The individual had raised concern over the water supply cut during the MCO, saying this will cause people to be unable to care for their hygiene and may force them to breach the order.

Span, however, said the issue has since been resolved.

“The disruption was due to the main pipe being broken.

“The problem was rectified by Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd after receiving the complaint.

“As of now, the supply has been completely restored,” Span said.

The MCO, which is an attempt to control the Covid-19 outbreak, came into effect on March 18.

Initially expected to end on March 31, the MCO has since been extended to April 14. - Mkini