AZURA ABAS New Straits Times 5 Apr 16;
PUTRAJAYA: Raw water reserves at six dams in four states now stand at 30 per cent or below as of March 31, following the current hot and dry weather.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili said the six dams were Timah Tasoh in Perlis; Gemencheh in Negri Sembilan; Lebam and Layang in Johor, as well as Milau and Babagon in Sabah.
"My ministry together with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry have formed a special committee to monitor the water level at all dams nationwide.
“Although the raw water reserves at these six dams are at 30 per cent and below, there is no water rationing exercise so far," he told reporters after the launch of the 3rd International Sustainable Energy Summit (ISES) 2016 here today.
On the progress of the Langat 2 water treatment plant, Ongkili said the construction progress stands at 60 per cent, and is scheduled to be completed by 2016.
It was reported that the Selangor government would build two water treatment plants to ensure there would be enough water supply as Langat 2 would only be completed within three years.
The two plants, costing RM800 million, are Semenyih 2 with a capacity of 100 million litres per day, and the Labohan Dagang plant in Kuala Langat with capacity of 400 mld.
Heatwave drying up dams
The Star 6 Apr 16;
PUTRAJAYA: Six dams are under close watch as water reserves reached critical level due to the hot and dry spell.
The dams are Timah Tasoh in Perlis, Gemencheh in Negri Sembilan, Sungai Lebam and Sungai Layang in Johor as well as Milau and Babagon in Sabah.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said reserves at the dams were at the 30% level.
There was no water rationing exercise yet because it was up to the state governments to make the call,” he said.
“If the water operator and state government find there is a need for water rationing, they will communicate to us through our regulator Span (National Water Services Commission).
“Span will then advise us. It does not just depend on the water level but also on how much water the operator can process,” Dr Ongkili told reporters after launching the Third International Sustainable Energy Summit here yesterday.
On Langat 2, Ongkili said the project was 60% complete and expected to be finished in 2019.
The project is to ensure long term water supply in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Water level in Kedah dams still sufficient
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 5 Apr 16;
SIK: The water level in four dams in Kedah, namely Ahning, Beris, Muda, and Pedu are still at safe level and are capable of providing sufficient water supply for domestic, industrial and agriculture use in the state.
Housing and Local Government, Water Supply and Energy resources committee chairman Datuk Badrol Hisham Hashim gave his assurance that the people of Kedah would continue to receive clean water supply despite the prolonged dry spell.
"The water level in all four dams in the state have dropped due to the dry spell brought about by the El Nino phenomenon. However, they are still at a safe level.
“Currently, the water level at the Ahning dam is about 77.92 per cent full, Beris dam at 55.6 per cent, Muda dam at 49.5 per cent while Pedu is about 78.2 per cent.
"Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada), the Kedah Irrigation and Drainage Department, and the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that consumers would be able to continue to enjoy clean water supply," Badrol said during a visit to the Beris dam today.
