Penang water supply works must be completed on schedule, says Chow

BUTTERWORTH: “Stick to your plan, keep to schedule”! This is the advice Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow gave to Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) on the day before repair works are due to be conducted at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant here.

Chow outlined three items in a “to do” list for the PBAPP over the scheduled water supply cut that starts on Wednesday (Jan 10).

“The first ‘to do’ on the list is for PBAPP to get the replacement job done in 24 hours.

“We expect PBAPP to stick to its plan on water supply engineering works.

“PBAPP must complete all work related to the replacement of two units of 1.2m control valves at the water treatment plant, as well as 22 other preventive maintenance projects, as scheduled,” he said during a press conference after visiting the plant on Tuesday (Jan 10).

He said unless there is a major mishap, PBAPP must stick to its own four-stage water supply restoration target.

He said the first stage of water supply recovery should be completed by 6am on Friday, (Jan 12) or 33% completion (mainly in mainland of Penang) and the second stage by 6am on Saturday (Jan 13) or 84% in Seberang Prai and Penang island.

He said the third stage of the recovery should be at 95% on Sunday (Jan 14) mainly for the southwest district on the island.

He said the supply recovery at the end of line and high ground neighbourhoods in the south of Penang island or remaining 0.5% should be return to normal by 6am on Sunday (Jan 14).

Chow, who is also PBAPP chairman, said the state water authority should keep the public informed on the progress of work and the water supply recovery process.

“They should post at least three updates daily, and issue press releases as required,” he said.

He said should there be a delay or setback, PBAPP should announce it immediately.

Also present during the visit were PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan; state infrastructure, transport and digital development committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari; and state local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng.

Pathmanathan said repair works will continue through rain or shine as they cannot afford to stop work.

“We have taken into account the weather factor, which will not be a stumbling block,” he said.