Get ready for 60-hour water disruption in Penang

Get ready for 60-hour water disruption in Penang

5 Apr 2025 • 12:00 PM MYT



Carolyn Khor
Former ministerial press sec., ex-UNV, and independent researcher/writer

Image courtesy of: Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang.


More than 341,000 water account holders across all five districts in Penang are expected to face water disruption of up to 60 hours, from April 25 until April 28, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.


The water disruption will start from 10am on Friday and is expected to last until 10am on Monday.


The five affected districts are Daerah Timur Laut, Daerah Barat Daya, Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan.


Chow said that 23 water-related projects across nine installations will be carried out simultaneously, coinciding with a project announced earlier on Feb 10 by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).


“This is to facilitate the final connection works for the pipeline crossing the Perai River at Ampang Jajar, Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT).


“We want to take this opportunity to carry out repair and replacement works.


“We are bringing forward all these repairs to coincide with this disruption so that there is no need for further disruptions in the future,” he said during a press conference in Komtar on March 27.


Meanwhile, PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan said 80 water tankers will be stationed at various hotspots to help residents cope with the disruption.


“The water tankers can provide immediate relief and access to clean water. The standard allocation is 50-100 litres per round, per household,” he said.


Pathmanathan said that 800 PBAPP employees and 200 volunteers, including state assemblymen and MPs will be on the ground to assist residents with the water disruption.


“Please store sufficient water for two days,” he urged.


Chow said the total investment for these 23 projects amounts to RM25 million and represents a significant investment by PBAPP.


“The impact of these projects will be felt by the water account holders across the state, leading to increased water supply, improved water pressure, more stable water availability, and faster recovery in case of disruptions,” he said.


Chow explained that the 60-hour Scheduled Water Supply Interruption (SWSI) would involve essential maintenance and upgrading works by PBAPP and a partial shutdown of the Sungai Dua WTP.


“The main priority during this interruption is the final connection works for the new RM8.7mil, 1.35m pipeline connection works in Seberang Perai.


“They (PBAPP) are preparing to carry out the final connection works (Phase 1) of the Sungai River–Crossing Pipeline (SP–RCP) section at Ampang Jajar of Central Seberang Perai on April 25,” he said.


Other projects include essential works at the main pump house of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), such as replacing a leaking 1.2m valve on the pipeline at Jalan Pengkalan Tambang, Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), as well as repairs, replacements, and upgrades to the treated water distribution system, particularly strategic main pipelines and treated water pumps across the state.


Chow also mentioned that since the April SWSI would only involve a 50% shutdown of the Sungai Dua WTP, the recovery time would be sooner than last year’s disruption.


“The works will only take 18 hours, but the process of getting water flowing again takes time. Some will have their water supply restored earlier, depending on the area,” he said.


Chow said the total investment for these 23 projects amounts to RM25 million and represents a significant investment by PBAPP.


He also said that PBAPP plans to restore 88% of the water supply to 300,185 out of the 341,708 affected accounts within 48 hours.


Further details of the SWSI and the phased water supply restoration plan will be provided by PBAPP next week.


For enquiries, PBAPP can be reached through their 24-hour call centre at 04-2558255 or email customer@pba.com.my.


This article was first published by theSun on April 2.