PENANG is going through a dry spell and water consumers have been urged to use water wisely as the water levels in Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams have dropped significantly.
State Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari warned that the water capacity, especially in Air Itam Dam was at a ‘critical level’ and could only last for 40 days without any rainfall.
“The effective capacity of Air Itam Dam has dropped by 41% from January this year and can only last till the end of next month if the dry spell continues.
“This happened due to low rainfall at the water catchment areas and high-water consumption among the consumers, particularly at food courts and businesses in the vicinity.
“In Teluk Bahang, the water capacity has fallen by 15.9% from January this year, and we view this seriously as various efforts have since taken place, including the cloud seeding operations,” he said at a press conference in Komtar today.
Air Itam Dam supplies water to the households in Air Itam, Paya Terubong and its vicinity. There are 30,000 consumers in Air Itam and Paya Terubong while Teluk Bahang Dam supplies water to some 500,000 consumers in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and nearby.
The water capacity in Teluk Bahang Dam can last for 146 days.
According to Zairil, the water consumption in the Air Itam neighbourhood was high.
“We hope the water consumers in the state will reduce their daily water consumption to avoid water wastage,” he said.
Zairil said cloud seeding operations had been carried out from May 2 to May 4.
“More cloud seeding operations will be carried out as there is a need to do so,” he said.
Zairil also said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is expected to announce the water situation on May 21 in view of the upcoming World Water Day.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Pathmanathan Krishnan Kutty Raman Nair said Penang has the highest per capita water consumption last year.
“It was 307 litres per capita water consumption,” he said.
Pathmanathan said PBAPP is still working with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to overcome the water shortage issue.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee