GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has reported that Air Itam dam’s effective capacity is now reduced to 33.7%, as a result of the prevailing hot and dry weather conditions.
Chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the dip was also due to the water disruption on the island caused by the 1,350mm burst pipe at the bottom of Sg Perai, Butterworth in early January.
“The Air Itam Dam’s water level receded quite drastically because it is the dry season now and water consumption is high. We are also using it to supply the island after the Sg Perai incident.
“PBAPP will finalise measures to increase the water capacity at the dam after the completion of plan B, which is the installation of a new 600mm pipe across Sg Perai,” he said when contacted today.
The Air Itam Dam recorded an effective capacity of 83% on December 1 last year. However, the Sg Perai incident last month led to higher consumption to accommodate the affected population, causing the water level to recede to 37.7% as of 5pm today.
The Teluk Bahang Dam, near here recorded a level of 88.1%, while the Mengkuang Dam in Bukit Mertajam was at 90.1%.
For the record, the first alert level is at 50%, the second level is at 40%, and the third level is at 30% and below. – January 30, 2024