Some 10,000 households in Kota Tinggi are experiencing water ration. - NSTP/ADI SAFRI
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 29 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: Water rationing has started for some 10,000 households in Kota Tinggi.
The decision to impose scheduled water supply was taken after the operations of the Lok Heng and Sungai Gembut water treatment plants were affected due to the prolonged dry spell.
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) said the Lok Heng plant was operating at a minimal level.
This because the water levels at Sungai Sedili Kecil have dropped below the critical level.
“Scheduled water supply has also been imposed in the Lok Heng plant distribution area since March 15, while in the Sungai Gembut distribution area, it had been in place since March 21,” SPAN said.
Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd said the Lok Heng plant supplied water to Gugusan Felda Bukit Waha. Kuari Bukit Waha, Gugusan Felda Lok Heng and Bukit Tentera and a total of 4,004 accounts were affected.
It said the Sungai Gembut plant supplied water to Felda Aping Barat, Felda Aping Timur, Gembut Cina, Bandar Sri Perani, Sedili Kecil, Mawai, Kampung Gembut, Kampung Sayang and Kampung Telok, affecting a total of 6,041 accounts.
“It does affect our daily lives as the water supply is stopped every few days.
“However, we still have access to clean water,” said Haziyah Hadman of Felda Simpang Waha.
She said Ranhill SAJ had been sending water tankers to areas that could not get piped water supply.
SPAN said water rationing was planned for several areas in Kluang and Pontian as the Simpang Renggam plant was affected by the drop in water levels at the Machap Dam and Sungai Benut.
Ranhill SAJ chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman said scheduled water supply had not started in areas supplied by the Simpang Renggam plant.
“We will continuously monitor the water level at the plant.
“There are a total of 26,114 account holders supplied by the plant in Simpang Renggam, Kluang and Pontian Utara,” said Faizal.
He said the company had halted the operations of the Sungai Mersing water treatment plant due to reduced water intake to the plant.
Falling dam, river level sees water rationing imposed
New Straits Times 29 Mar 19;
CYBERJAYA: The ongoing dry and hot weather has seen many locations in Peninsula Malaysia facing lower rainfall as a consequence.
The situation is expected to persist until the end of April said the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).
SPAN Chairman Charles Santiago said due to the ongoing hot and dry weather several rivers and dams nationwide has seen a very noticeable drop in their water level.
“This in turn has seen water treatment plants (LRA) reduce production of treated water or stop operating all together due to reduced availability of raw water,” he said in a statement today.
He revealed that in Kedah, the reduced raw water resources at the Tupah, Merbok and Gurun LRA have been ongoing quite some time.
This has seen the plants operating only at 50 per cent production capacity compared to normal conditions, he said.
"Consequently, this has seen water supply disruption affecting Merbok, Tanjung Dawai, Bedong, Semeling, Singkir and Gurun, which has affected 6,000 account holders in the areas.
"Water supplies through water tankers and static tanks have since been provided to consumers to minimise the impact of supply disruption,” he said.
Meanwhile in Johor, Charles said the water level at the Sedili Kecil River remained below the critical level.
This in turn had caused the Lok Heng LRA in Kota Tinggi to operate at the minimum level, he said.
"Scheduled water supply (water rationing) in the area had been in force since March 15 and involved 4,004 account holders”.
He added that scheduled water supply (water rationing) in areas supplied by LRA Sg. Gembut in Kota Tinggi also had been implemented from March 21 onwards involving 5,168 account holders.
In Kluang district, scheduled water supply (water rationing) has been planned said Charles, following the decline in the water levels at Macap and Sg Benut Dam which has affected the Simpang Renggam LRA operations.
“It is estimated that 10,750 account holders in the Benut and Pontian areas as well as 15,364 account holders in the Simpang Renggam area would be affected,” Charles said.
Meanwhile, he said yesterday the Sg Mersing LRA operations in Mersing had to be stopped after water level at the river fell below the minimum level. This in turn affected the water being drawn into the water intake of the LRA.
“SPAN reminded all state water operators to carry out scheduled water rationing due to shortage in drawing raw water from existing sources,” he said.
He said the respective state water operators have also been reminded to ensure that adequate water supply is delivered to consumers either through existing distribution pipes or water tankers according to planning schedule approved by SPAN.
Charles also directed water operator's to suspend all non-critical maintenance work temporarily for the moment so that water supply can be supplied continuously, without any disruption.
All water operators are also required to place in standby, machinery, vehicles, tools, equipment and manpower to carry out repair works immediately in the event breakdown or disruption involving water treatment plants or water supply pipes, he added.
“Water operators should also strive to ensure water supply through distribution systems or supplied via water tanks to critical users such as hospitals and dialysis centres are uninterrupted”, Charles said.
