1.2 million consumers, or 300,000 households in seven areas in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya need to brace themselves for a period of low water pressure or no water at all, says Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).
Syabas assistant general manager (corporate communications and public affairs) Priscilla Alfred said this is a result of reduced volume in treated water released by five plants on the orders of the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit.
The affected areas are Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Kuala Langat and Hulu Selangor.
“The existing reserve in water supply is too small and, in normal circumstances, is unable to meet the demand of the consumers because the five treatment plants supply 60% of the treated water needs of these areas,” she said in a statement yesterday, as reported by Bernama.
The Selangor Water management Authority (LUAS), which is responsible for raw water resources in the state, issued a written order on February 24 to Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH), which manages three plants, to reduce the intake of raw water from Sungai Selangor by 200 million litres daily.
Should the Syabas water supply distribution plan be approved by the Selangor Public Works Commission (SPAN), it would be announced to consumers tomorrow and scheduled for implementation from Sunday.
The Meteorological Department has postponed cloud-seeding operations, which were originally scheduled to begin yesterday, to early next week due to a lack of favourable cloud conditions.
“The operations will commence once cumulus clouds which are suitable for seeding appear, with forecasts indicating early next week,” the department’s senior meteorologist Azhar Ishak said yesterday.
Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the Malaysian Armed Forces would do its best to help all consumers affected by water rationing.
The military would consider all requests to expand its current assistance beyond the Balakong district, currently one of the worst-hit areas. The Armed Forces are now helping out by assigning water tankers and personnel.
Related: Water crisis: cloud seeding hasn’t started yet; GTA Balakong: Syabas water tankers hijacked; Dry Hard: 2 million people in Klang Valley might get water cuts
Source: The Star Online
