SPAN backs Kedah’s plan to set up barriers in Sg Muda
Penang draws its raw water from Sungai Muda as it flows within its borders before it empties into the sea near Butterworth to supply the needs of 80% of its population. (PBA pic)
GEORGE TOWN: While the Penang state authorities have railed against Kedah’s plans to instal water storage areas along Sungai Muda, the country’s water services regulator today said it was a good idea as it would conserve excess water from rainfall to be used during drier periods.
National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chief executive officer Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman said Kedah’s plan was essentially a “downstream storage” plan, where it will capture a large volume of water in tanks during the wet season.
He admitted it was likely that such projects may adversely affect Penang but said it would first require the consent of the environment and water ministry.
He said this did not come under the purview of SPAN.
“We were told that 90% of the river water flows into the sea during the wet season. Typically, we use only 5% to 10% of the water from the river flow.
“So, it is a good move to store water enough to last for one to three months as a backup during an emergency. This is water which would otherwise flow into the sea and be lost.
“The tanker system that serves to store water could also mitigate floods,” he told FMT.
Faizal said water source management remains under the state government’s purview and what had been announced could very well have been already vetted by the relevant authorities.
“Proper studies would have been made by the EPU (Economic Planning Unit) or the relevant ministries before any such project is approved.”
Faizal said what Kedah was doing was similar to “Horas” or the hybrid off-river augmentation system being implemented in Selangor.
The Horas system collects stormwater and underground water in a “horizontal collector well” and later channels it to the Sungai Selangor basin, according to the Selangor government’s portal.
Kedah plans to build Takungan Air Pinggiran Sungai (TAPS), with 14 tanks, 20m-30m deep and up to a kilometre wide, along Sungai Muda.
Also, new barrages or barriers would be built to slow down the river’s water flow, so that Kedah’s water company, Syarikat Air Darul Aman, could sufficiently draw water to irrigate padi fields and supply enough water for its population.
Menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, in announcing the project, told Penang that it should “be ready” for the likelihood of drawing just sludge or mud from its end of Sungai Muda if it refuses to compensate Kedah for water drawn from the river.
Penang had reiterated that it was drawing water from the river which flowed into its borders and is mulling legal action to stop the TAPS project from threatening its water supply from the river, which supplies the needs of 80% of its population.
Penang draws raw water from Sungai Muda which flows into its territory in Kepala Batas and treats its water in Butterworth.
GEORGE TOWN: While the Penang state authorities have railed against Kedah’s plans to instal water storage areas along Sungai Muda, the country’s water services regulator today said it was a good idea as it would conserve excess water from rainfall to be used during drier periods.
National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chief executive officer Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman said Kedah’s plan was essentially a “downstream storage” plan, where it will capture a large volume of water in tanks during the wet season.
He admitted it was likely that such projects may adversely affect Penang but said it would first require the consent of the environment and water ministry.
He said this did not come under the purview of SPAN.
“We were told that 90% of the river water flows into the sea during the wet season. Typically, we use only 5% to 10% of the water from the river flow.
“So, it is a good move to store water enough to last for one to three months as a backup during an emergency. This is water which would otherwise flow into the sea and be lost.
“The tanker system that serves to store water could also mitigate floods,” he told FMT.
Faizal said water source management remains under the state government’s purview and what had been announced could very well have been already vetted by the relevant authorities.
“Proper studies would have been made by the EPU (Economic Planning Unit) or the relevant ministries before any such project is approved.”
Faizal said what Kedah was doing was similar to “Horas” or the hybrid off-river augmentation system being implemented in Selangor.
The Horas system collects stormwater and underground water in a “horizontal collector well” and later channels it to the Sungai Selangor basin, according to the Selangor government’s portal.
Kedah plans to build Takungan Air Pinggiran Sungai (TAPS), with 14 tanks, 20m-30m deep and up to a kilometre wide, along Sungai Muda.
Also, new barrages or barriers would be built to slow down the river’s water flow, so that Kedah’s water company, Syarikat Air Darul Aman, could sufficiently draw water to irrigate padi fields and supply enough water for its population.
Menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, in announcing the project, told Penang that it should “be ready” for the likelihood of drawing just sludge or mud from its end of Sungai Muda if it refuses to compensate Kedah for water drawn from the river.
Penang had reiterated that it was drawing water from the river which flowed into its borders and is mulling legal action to stop the TAPS project from threatening its water supply from the river, which supplies the needs of 80% of its population.
Penang draws raw water from Sungai Muda which flows into its territory in Kepala Batas and treats its water in Butterworth.
Malay vs Chinese govt..I am afraid the outcome will be obvious unless the courts are fearless
ReplyDeleteno such thing courts r fearless under a green communist regime.
DeleteWakakakaka…
DeleteTrying hard to dress up yr don't-spook-the-melayu-sensitivities!
Now roll over & play dead far far away.
Wee KHAT Siong and Dominic Lau Sai are still mute and pute. When will they go and meet Penang-Lang....?
ReplyDeleteQUOTE
Gerakan eyes Penang takeover in GE15
By Dawn Chan - March 24, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) wants to make a comeback in the political arena by wrestling Penang from the opposition in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau said Penang will be their focus state in the GE15 against the back of ensuring a Perikatan Nasional's (PN) victory in the polls.
Lau said Penang remained close to the party's heart as it was where it was founded and deeply rooted, citing notable past leaders who rose to be the state chief ministers such as Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
"Gerakan started in Penang, we reached our peak there but it was also where the party fell. We will make a comeback in Penang, our homeground. That is important for the party and we are focused on the state and for PN to win.
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Wee: MCA to stay with BN for GE15
Sunday, 07 Mar 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 7 — MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong today stated that the party will remain with Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 15th general election (GE15).
He said that since its establishment, MCA had faced various hurdles and challenges and gone through thick and thin together with BN.
“Celebrating cultural diversity, moderation and an inclusive nature as instilled and practised by BN is in line with MCA’s struggle,” he said in his opening address at the 67th MCA general assembly here.
““Therefore, in the coming GE15, MCA will continue to be together with BN to ensure victory for BN. If there is a need, we will also be with other parties to build strength in carrying the spirit of diversity and moderation for the sake of safeguarding the country,” he said.
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It will be impossible for Penang to resist the combined might of the Green Komunis Federal Government and Green Komunis Kedah.
ReplyDeletePenang better be prepared to pay up atrocious amounts of Protection Money to maintain it's water supply.