Penangites shocked by SPAN’s typing error on water level in Air Itam dam

GEORGE TOWN: The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) ‘s typing error, stating that there are only five days of water left in the Air Itam dam, flabbergasted Penangites.

Many were shocked when it was reported that the dam, which stood at 35%, could only supply water for another five days instead of the expected month or more.

On Saturday (March 30), Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) CEO K. Pathmanathan said it was a typing error, and the correct period was 34 days.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said water levels at the three main dams in the state were still under control and sufficient for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

He said the state government has taken several measures, including monitoring the water level in Sungai Muda, which supplies 85% of the state’s raw water.

“The water level at Sungai Muda is over two meters, which is above the critical level, meaning it is able to supply raw water to water treatment plants in our state.

“I can say that disruption of water supply due to the dam’s water level probably will not occur unless there are things beyond our expectations, such as floods in Baling,” he said

Chow said the effective capacity at Air Itam Dam was 35%, while Teluk Bahang Dam and Mengkuang Dam were 67.9% and 89.7%, respectively.

He shared that PBAPP has implemented the Air Itam Water Dam Action Plan 2024 (Aidap 2024) to ensure that the water level in the Air Itam Dam does not drop to a negative level.

“This action plan has increased the effective capacity of the dam by 4.5% from 32% in February 2024 to 38% in mid-March.

“At the same time, we have also taken action to reduce the delivery of raw water from the Air Itam Water Dam to the treatment plant, from the usual 10,000 accounts to only 4,000 to 5,000 users.

“Therefore, we need to pump more water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant to cover the supply to more than 5,000 users who cannot receive water from the Air Itam Dam,” he continued.

On Friday (March 29), SPAN shared that the Air Itam Dam is placed under the “alert level” and would not disrupt the water supply, stating that there was only enough water for five days.