The Air Itam Dam in Penang island is currently at an effective capacity of 38.5% after low rainfall in the water catchment area (KTA) of the dam. This is according to the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).
As reported by national news agency Bernama, PBAPP CEO Datuk Ir Jaseni Maidinsa in a statement yesterday commented,
“From January 1 to March 31, the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam had decreased by 50.8 per cent due to abnormally low rainfall of 250 mm recorded at the Air Itam Dam KTA.”
“In comparison, the total amount of rainfall recorded at the Teluk Bahang Dam KTA is 366 mm while the rainfall is recorded at the Mengkuang Dam KTA stood at 1,128 mm,”
Besides that, Jaseni also elaborated that the low water level was also due to the high daily water demand in the Air Itam township and surrounding areas. In fact, PBAPP had recorded consistently high water consumption in Penang since the start of 2022.
As of 31 March, metered water consumption was almost 900 million litres per day (MLD) compared to the average of 860 MLD in 2021. Therefore, PBAPP said that it would be implementing dry weather control measures to sustain effective capacity of dams in Penang.
Furthermore, treated water pumped from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant in Seberang Perai to Bukit Dumbar Reservoir on the island daily through 3 sets of twin submarine pipelines was exhausted quickly. Jasni further said that the water demand in Penang island’s southern part is significantly high recently.
He further stressed that treated water level at the Bukit Dumbar Reservoir was low and due to that, PBAPP could not pump water at a sufficient pressure to the end of the distribution pipes and higher ground. Therefore, Penangites are advised to use water prudently until the monsoon season in April and May brings rain to the dam KTA.
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