THE Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is now expediting the implementation of two projects to increase the capacity of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (Sungai Dua WTP).
PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said the two projects are Phase 2, Sungai Dua WTP Sedimentation Tanks Upgrades and Package 12A, Sungai Dua WTP: an Additional New Water Treatment Module.
“For Phase 2, this project began in October 2020. It involves the upgrading of six existing sedimentation tanks in stages.
“The level of completion is now at 67%, with four upgraded tanks now functioning optimally.
“When all six tanks are fully operational in October this year, the water treatment output of the Sungai Dua WTP will increase by another 30 million litres per day (MLD).
“As for Package 12A, the work is now in progress since it started in March this year.
“Package 12A involves the construction of a new and additional water treatment module in the Sungai Dua WTP.
“When commissioned in December 2023, it will increase the maximum design capacity of the Sungai Dua WTP by 114 MLD.
“In total, by fully commissioning these two projects by December 2023, the Sungai Dua WTP output will be increased by 144 MLD,” Jaseni said in his speech during the launching of the newly-renovated administration centre at the Sungai Dua WTP today.
The newly-renovated administration centre was officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
According to Jaseni, PBAPP is working hard to complete both projects to prevent widespread water supply interruptions caused by escalating water demand in Penang.
“This is because in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the average water consumption in Penang was 843 MLD.
“But in May 2022, after we entered the endemic phase of Covid-19, average water consumption in Penang rose sharply to 945 MLD.
“This means that there was a 12.1% surge in water consumption in just three years,” he said.
Jaseni added that while it was an abnormal increase, PBAPP had no choice but to strive towards meeting Penang’s higher water demand.
“So, these two projects at the Sungai Dua WTP are the most cost-effective and fastest water supply projects to deploy by virtue of the strategic location of the Sungai Dua WTP.
“After all, PBAPP is duty-bound to implement the most cost-effective and fastest solutions possible to meet Penang’s increasing water demand. And these are what we are doing now,” he said.
Chow, who is also the PBAPP chairman, hoped that both projects could be completed as soon as possible to increase the water capacity of Sungai Dua WTP.
“When fully commissioned, the project of Phase 2, Sungai Dua WTP Sedimentation Tanks Upgrades will enable the Sungai Dua WTP to produce more treated water.
“Therefore, it must be commissioned before the end of this year, on time, to alleviate the urgent water supply issues, especially in south Seberang Perai.
“As for Package 12A project, I have directed PBAPP to complete this project by December 2023, as scheduled.
“When both of these projects managed to be completed, it will increase the water capacity of Sungai Dua WTP,” said Chow.
Speaking about the newly-renovated administration centre of Sungai Dua WTP, Chow said the renovation works cost about RM2.73 million.
“The renovation works started in October 2019 and were completed in October 2020.
“The renovation works are justified considering that this is the first time that PBAPP has comprehensively renovated its administration centre in the past 49 years.
“The centre is needed for the Sungai Dua WTP to be managed efficiently. It plays a leading role in allowing PBAPP to produce the cheapest possible treated water in Penang,” he said.
Chow added that the newly-renovated administration centre is equipped with a special lift and toilets for disabled visitors. It also has an environment-friendly design that allows natural lighting (sunlight) to enter various spaces, thereby, reduce lighting costs.
“It also has an open area that has been built to support natural air flow and reduce air-conditioning costs,” Chow added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar