KUALA LUMPUR – Some 200,000 water consumers in Penang’s southwest districts and some areas in Seberang Perai are expected to be affected by an unscheduled water disruption due to a burst pipe at Sg Perai.
In a statement today, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) said that it is implementing an emergency response plan to repair the 1,350mm water pipeline located at the bottom of Sg Perai, which will disrupt the supply of water in several areas in the state.
The damaged pipeline was discovered yesterday morning and has to be temporarily shut down today to allow repair work to be carried out by a commercial diving team from Port Klang, it added.
The PBAPP said the diving team found a hole measuring about 20cm by 30cm on the pipeline’s surface last night.
“The underwater specialists have commenced the repair work by welding a 60cm by 60cm steel plate over the ruptured section.
“The contractor will determine the best time to start work based on light and river conditions, for visibility and safety reasons,” the water authority said in a statement today.
It also said it would announce the list of areas at a later date.
“PBAPP could not provide ‘advance notice’ of the disruption as this was an unscheduled event arising from a mishap and not a planned or scheduled event.
“However, the public has been advised to store water supplies at 12.30am via a Facebook posting,” it said.
PBAPP also apologised for any inconvenience caused.
“This is a major pipeline that delivers treated water from the Sg Dua Water Treatment Plant to the third Penang Twin Submarine pipelines that span from Butterworth on the mainland to the Macallum area on Penang Island. – December 19, 2023