AKSB: Brackish tap water due to saltwater intrusion

KOTA BHARU, Feb 7  -- The clean water supply that has turned brackish in the east of Kota Bharu and parts of Bachok, over the past few days, is due to saltwater intrusion into Sungai Pengkalan Datu.

Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB), in a statement today, said as a result of the intrusion, there was water quality disruption in the Chicha water treatment plant (LRA) distribution area.

It said to increase the source of raw water at Chicha LRA, to provide for high water demand during the Chinese New Year holidays, it channelled water from Sungai Pengkalan Datu to Telaga Jejari Pasir Tumboh (TJ) on Jan 30.

“The chloride content in the river water is currently 142 mg/l.

“As of Jan 31, the rate of treated water production from the Chicha LRA is 71.6 million litres per day (MLD). Prior to the supply of water from Sungai Pengkalan Datu to TJ, the production rate of LRA Chicha treated water was 62 MLD,” read the statement.

It also said that after receiving complaints of brackish water last Thursday (Feb 3), the pumping of raw water from TJ has been gradually reduced.

“Today the pumping of raw water from TJ has been completely stopped due to the chloride content in the treated water still being high. The quality of treated water from Chicha LRA will gradually improve,” it said.

AKSB also said that any complaints regarding water supply can be made via hotline 15777, or WhatsApp to 019-575 5777, email to pintas@airkelantan.com.my or using the MyAKSB application which can be downloaded via Google Play Store and App Store.

-- BERNAMA