Projects To Ensure Security Of Penang’s Raw Water Supply

By Erma Idayu Mohd Yusop

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The upgrading of raw water intake points at Titi Kerawang and Teluk Awak, along with the installation of raw water pipelines to the Teluk Bahang Dam here, announced under Budget 2026, will help ensure the security of raw water supply in Penang.

Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government has been implementing the Sungai Pinang Raw Water Contingency Project since 2020 to channel water to the Teluk Bahang Dam, with Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) utilising an 8.6-kilometre, 450 mm-diameter dual-function pipeline.

He said under the project, raw water from Titi Kerawang is channelled to the Teluk Bahang Dam during the monsoon season from September to December, while treated water from the Teluk Bahang Pump House is supplied to the Sungai Pinang Water Treatment Plant at other times.

“However, the use of this dual-function system has resulted in inconsistent water supply for consumers along the pipeline route and has also limited the capacity to channel raw water outside the monsoon season,” he told Bernama.

He explained that to overcome this issue, a dedicated pipeline is needed to channel raw water from Titi Kerawang to the Teluk Bahang Dam to ensure a continuous and more efficient supply.

Zairil said climate change and growing water demand have also caused the Teluk Bahang Dam to remain unfilled even during the rainy season, highlighting the need for the project to be implemented without delay.

On the RM2.2 billion allocation for the Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) Project, which includes works involving Sungai Nyiur in Seberang Perai Utara, he said the project area lies within the Sungai Nyiur basin, a sub-basin of Sungai Perai that covers the Bagan Dalam, Bagan Jermal and Sungai Puyu state constituencies as well as the Bagan parliamentary constituency.

“This basin often experiences flash floods due to short, heavy downpours, which exceed the capacity of the river and drainage systems. The situation worsens when heavy rainfall coincides with high tide, causing seawater backflow at the Sungai Nyiur estuary near Sungai Perai,” he said.

According to Zairil, the project will enhance the safety and well-being of local residents as it will address flood-prone areas such as Jalan Thamby Kecil, Jalan Siram, SK Convent Butterworth, Kampung Muniammah (Jalan Siram) and Kampung Sungai Nyiur.

He said all these projects reflect the MADANI government’s concern for the well-being of Penang residents and its continued commitment to ensuring balanced and sustainable state development.

-- BERNAMA