DAF ATLRA BUKIT PANCHOR LRA CAN SOLVE WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS IN SPS - PBAPP

NIBONG TEBAL, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Water Treatment Module, better known as Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), at the Bukit Panchor Water Treatment Plant (LRA) here, which cost RM18.6 million, can solve the water supply problems faced by residents in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), especially in Mukim 5 Sungai Bakap, here.

Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the DAF at Bukit Panchor LRA has been operating since last December and supplied an additional 10.5 million litres of water per day (MLD).

“Since 2023, PBAPP has invested RM20.52 million in water works to improve supply in SPS, including the DAF at the Bukit Panchor LRA, Mobile LRA at Taman Sungai Duri Indah and a new suction tank at Taman Widuri and Taman Wellesley.

bootstrap slideshow

“Previously, almost 1,500 accounts in Mukim 5 Sungai Bakap experienced water supply problems but, with DAF, there has been a drastic decrease in complaints. However, we still receive complaints about intermittent water supply in high areas and the neighbourhoods at the end of the distribution pipe in SPS,” he said today.

He told reporters this after Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow officiated the opening of the DAF at the Bukit Panchor LRA here.

Pathmanathan said that to ensure sufficient supply, another compact LRA in Sungai Kerian here is being built for RM4 million.

bootstrap slideshow

He said that after 2030, the operation of the Perak-Penang Water Project will be able to handle water demand in SPS and he hopes to sign an agreement with the Perak state government as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Chow said the state government always pays attention to improving water supply services in Penang, including in the SPS District.

He said the water disruption that hit several neighbourhoods in SPS was due to higher water consumption, with the increase in population and the operation of industries around the district.

“PBAPP has also invested as much as RM49.6 million for two projects in Bukit Panchor and Sungai Dua under the Water Contingency Plan 2030 (WCP 2030).

“From 2024 to 2028, PBAPP has planned to invest RM1.134 billion to build four new water treatment plants in SPS and install two main pipelines to increase water pumping capacity,” he said.

-- BERNAMA