Malaysia: Nearly 150,000 to be affected by month-long scheduled water cuts in three districts in Johor

MOHD FARHAAN SHAH The Star 3 Sep 19;

JOHOR BARU: The lack of rainfall and the ongoing hot weather in the last two weeks have caused the water level at the Machap Dam to fall to critical level, disrupting supply to almost 150,000 consumers in three areas in Johor.

In a statement on Tuesday (Sept 3), the National Water Services Commission (Span) said the condition at the dam had forced water supply company, SAJ Ranhill, to activate scheduled cuts for about a month.

"Following this, it is estimated that a total of 149,550 consumers from 29,910 accounts around Simpang Renggam, Layang-Layang and Pontian Utara would be affected from Monday until Oct 2.

"To ensure that clean water supply is optimised under limited resource conditions, Ranhill SAJ will arrange to supply water for 36 hours, followed by the next 36 hours without water," said the statement.

Span also pointed out that besides Machap, three other dams in Johor were also at critical levels - the Lebam dam, Upper Layang dam and Pulai dam.

"However, water supply in the affected areas is still regulated with the pumping of raw water from the Seluyut Dam for the Lebam Dam and the Upper Layang Dam and the Pontian Kecil Dam for the Pulai 2 Dam," it added.

The commission also said it would continue to monitor the water levels at major dams across the country and submit reports to the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry.

On Sunday, the Johor government had initiated rationing after low levels at the Machap Dam affected raw water supply to the Simpang Renggam Water Treatment Plant (LRA).

Johor International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said the Simpang Renggam LRA supplied water to households around Simpang Renggam, Layang-Layang and Northern Pontian.

Span also advised affected users to use water wisely and be prepared to store enough water for days.

For more information on the locations and supply schedule, go to ranhillsaj.com.my or their Facebook page at 'Ranhillsaj Setitis Yang Bermakna'.