VENESA DEVI The Star 24 Aug 19;
JOHOR BARU: Several water treatment plants have been affected by the dry spell in Johor, says State International Trade, Investment, and Utilities Committee chairman Jimmy Puah.
He said that the Sungai Gembut water treatment plant in Kota Tinggi could no longer operate normally due to the significant drop in the water supply.
"The water level at the treatment plant has dropped beyond its critical level of 0.0 meter to -0.87 meter. The plant is failing to operate normally," he said in a statement released on Saturday (Aug 24).
He added that several areas in the district are expected to experience water disruptions due to the dry spell and hot weather in the state
"SAJ Ranhill has suggested that a scheduled water supply program to be conducted, starting from Sept 2. Water supplies will be on for a 24-hour period after a 48-hour cut, starting from the suggested date," he said, adding that some 5,246 account holders would be affected.
Puah said that the scheduled water supply program would be divided into three zones and added that the affected areas will include Bandar Perani, Felda Bukit Aping Timur, Gembut Cina, Pekan Tg Sedili, Kg Tuan Seh, Taman Tuan Seh, Sedili Kecil, Kg Belukar Durian, Telok Mahkota, Resort Sedili Kecil, Kg Gembut, Kg Singapura and Kg Sentosa.
Puah added that the water treatment plant in Simpang Renggam is also affected by the dry weather, saying that it has reached a critical level.
The plant supplies water to some 25,895 account holders in several areas, including Pekan Simpang Renggam, Layang-Layang and North Pontian.
He added that the Machap Dam has also dropped beyond its critical level of 14.84 meters to 14.63 meters.
The dam is the main raw water supply for the Simpang Renggam water treatment plant
"A scheduled water supply program is also expected to be conducted in the Simpang Renggam area. There will be no water for 36 hours followed by 36 hours where water will be available," he said.
The affected areas include Jalan Benut – Pontian, Jalan Pt. Betak, Benut, Jalan Pt. Ismail, Jalan Madirono – Makasar, Jalan Pt. Panjang, Sanglang, Ayer Baloi, Pulai Sebatang as well as parts of Api-Api, Renggam, Ulu Benut and Machap.
Puah added that the scheduled water supply programme would be cancelled if the water level at the plants and dams goes back to normal.
