50-year-old water pipes, valves need to be replaced, says Chow

 

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says it is better to have scheduled water cuts than unscheduled ones.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will be replacing old valves and pipes when it carries out its maintenance works next month, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

Chow said PBAPP had to carry out the major upgrading exercise, which is set to cause water disruptions lasting four days, as the valves and pipes are more than 50 years old.

“If we do not replace or repair them, we would encounter sudden water disruptions,” he said at the Green Pinang Awards 2023 presentation ceremony at a hotel here tonight.

He said while he realised that many would be unhappy with the water cuts in January, it was “better to have scheduled water disruptions, compared to unscheduled ones”.

Chow said the state government and PBAPP were giving a month-long notice to help prepare consumers for the supply disruptions.

“We hope everyone will store water before the maintenance works begin,” he said, adding that supply would be restored in stages.

It was reported earlier today that the supply disruptions would take place from Jan 10 to 14. PBAPP said a majority of areas would have their supply completely cut off, while other areas would experience limited supply.

PBAPP serves almost 677,000 consumers in Penang, and nearly 70% of them depend on treated water from the Sungai Dua plant, which will be shut down for the upgrading works. - FMT