BUKIT MERTAJAM — Delayed resumption of water supply to the central and southern Seberang Perai districts on mainland Penang has stirred anger among consumers who were earlier told that taps would flow at 10pm last night after a 24-hour disruption.
However, a pipe rupture near the Sg Dua treatment plant amid works by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to replace old pipes caused a further delay to restoration of supply, causing its Facebook page to be flooded with angry comments.
At press time, PBAPP’s last update today on its Facebook page was marked 12.15pm but posted at 1.30pm, when it said said pipe repair work is nearing completion, and that it would be testing the pipe section by pumping water through it.
However, the lack of updates after that prompted more angry comments on its Facebook page.
User Ku Nuraina Aqilah lamented that her household had “run out of stored rainwater, and we have little children”.
Another user Maisarah Anie asked: “Where is the water? We at southern Seberang Perai do not have water yet. It has been 43 minutes since the last update (by PBAPP) but we are yet to have water.”
Consumers from northern Seberang Perai have also joined the chorus in criticising PBAPP, with users CK Sam and Yi Joe questioning the company on why it did not issue a notice on water supply disruption in the district, where the Sg Dua water treatment plant is located.
Previously, PBAPP announced a 24-hour supply disruption from 10pm on Friday until 10pm yesterday for replacement works on an old section of the water pipeline.
The replacement is needed following damage from dredging work by a contractor of a utility company. The pipeline channels treated water to both southern and central Seberang Perai.
PBAPP, which earlier said that that supply would be restored by 10pm yesterday, subsequently said it would push back the deadline to 12pm today after a pipe rupture at 8.30pm yesterday.
To begin the supply restoration process, PBAPP said it would be relocating its water tanks and tankers from Central Seberang Perai to Southern Seberang Perai until water supply is normalised.
The state water company will be moving 10 tanks, eight jumbo tankers, 16 flexi tanks and 53 static tanks to the southern district. – October 6, 2024