KUALA LUMPUR – Two days after a water cut, Penang residents are again told to fill water tanks and containers in preparation for another supply disruption starting at 8pm today.
Penang Water Supply Corp (PBAPP) chief executive, K. Pathmanathan, said this was because another leak was discovered during works to repair a burst pipe that caused the first disruption two days ago.
“As such, there will be a planned and scheduled water supply interruption that will affect about 120,000 consumers in the southwest district on Penang island from 8pm today.
“We would like to request consumers to refill their water tanks and containers before 8pm today, while they have water supply,” he said in a statement posted on the corporation’s Facebook.
Pathmanathan said 10 water tankers would also be deployed to affected areas.
He said supply will be cut from 8pm so that PBAPP can begin an underwater “clamping down” operation to seal the leak with a steel plate.
This is to be completed by 8am tomorrow, after which the water supply will be restored.
The leak is on a river-bed pipeline that channels water from Seberang Prai on the mainland to Penang island.
The leak was discovered this morning after PBAPP started pumping treated water following earlier repairs that caused an unscheduled water supply disruption two days ago.
“The steel plate and four-piece clamp will be locked down with big nuts and bolts. All these parts are being custom fabricated for deployment today. A crane will be deployed to carefully place the parts in place in the water. Commercial divers will then position and lock down the clamp underwater.
“The plate and clamp cannot be installed if water is being pumped through the leaking section of the pipeline,” Pathmanathan said. – December 21, 2023