KUALA LUMPUR – Small businesses in the Klang Valley have been forced to shorten their business hours due to the three-day water disruption, running from today to October 12 (Thursday).
Local restaurant operator Ariza Baharin, 43, said that despite storing plenty of water supply, the amount is not enough for three days. She said she might have to close the business for the next two days.
“I have stored some water supply for my business use, but it would not be enough for three days.
“If we experience complete water disruption today, I cannot open my restaurant tomorrow,” Ariza said.
Air Selangor had earlier announced the water supply cut for the purpose of conducting maintenance works and asset upgrading at Sungai Langat Water Treatment Plant from 10am today until Thursday.
She also said that the stored water supply is not suitable for daily use to prepare food and beverages, as those tasks require a clean water supply.
As for 59-year-old restaurant owner, Roslina Zulkilfli, said that if the water disruption continues until 9pm today, she will close her business tomorrow.
Hidayah Jaafar, 26, a restaurant worker, said that many restaurants could only stay open until 10am today due to the water shortage.
“The uncle next to our restaurant closed until 10am because of the water cut,” she said.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old trader, Nur Asyikin, said her business was still affected due to the low pressure of the water supply.
“Previously, if we had water disruption that forced us to close our business early, we only earned about RM500 per day, meanwhile, on normal days I can get around RM1,500,” she said.
A 79-year-old Chinese restaurant owner, Hha Lim, said his business also decreased in sales, although he had prepared the ingredients at home to cook at his booth.
“If the water shortage is still ongoing, I need to cook the food at my home and bring it here. Then, my sales will drop because of the limited quantities of food that I can bring,” he added. – October 10, 2023