Penang targets cut in daily water use to 250 litres per person amid climate-driven supply concerns
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, said that while the target may appear modest, it could yield significant long-term benefits in terms of water supply sufficiency and security.
'If all 1.8 million Penang residents reduce their household water use by 11 LPCD, the cumulative savings could reach 19.8 million litres per day (MLD) this year,' he said during the World Water Day celebration at the Air Itam Dam today.
The event was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and attended by Water Watch Penang president, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Chan Ngai Weng.
Pathmanathan added that the projected domestic savings are expected to contribute to an estimated 2.3 percent reduction in Penang's overall water consumption, from 870 MLD last year to approximately 850 MLD this year.
Saying domestic water use accounted for approximately 54 percent of total water consumption last year, he encouraged Penangites to use water more efficiently to help stabilise supply and reduce service disruptions in end-of-line distribution areas and highland zones in Seberang Perai Selatan and the Barat Daya District.
Meanwhile, Pathmanathan noted that climate change has also impacted operations, with the effective capacities of the Teluk Bahang and Air Itam dams decreasing by 13.1 percent and 22.6 percent, respectively, due to low rainfall since January.
He explained that although both dams are designed to be replenished by rainwater within their catchment areas, the significant reduction in rainfall, coupled with prolonged El Niño conditions, has hampered their recovery in recent years.
In contrast, he said the Expanded Mengkuang Dam was specifically designed to be replenished primarily through water pumped from Sungai Kulim.
'We are currently implementing projects worth over RM1 billion under the Water Contingency Plan 2030 to ensure sufficient capacity for Penang by 2030.
'We therefore urge domestic users to conserve water to help reduce the state's water supply risks up to 2030, ensuring fair and equitable distribution while supporting the Penang2030 vision,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Perak paddy farmers get faster access to disaster aid without official declaration
TAIPING: Perak paddy farmers affected by drought, floods or storms can now seek financial aid without waiting for formal disaster declarations under the Paddy Crop Disaster Fund. State Department of Agriculture director Norsiyenti Othman urged farmers to document crop damage by photographing affected fields and filing police reports. Applicants must submit evidence to either the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Kerian office or nearest Agriculture Department branch within three months of the disaster. 'For claims beyond three months, we cannot process them as these are cash payouts requiring strict verification,' Norsiyenti said during the 2025 Larut Matang and Selama Department of Agriculture Agro Carnival launch. Farmers with crops aged 70 days or younger qualify for RM860 compensation, while older crops receive RM1,800 deposited directly into their accounts. The Kerian region currently faces drought conditions due to falling water levels at Bukit Merah dam, exacerbated by dry weather since May. Separately, Norsiyenti revealed the Taiping Herbal Centre now hosts 220 herbal species relocated from Simpang Pulai, becoming Perak's sole dedicated herbal facility. The state government has allocated RM740,000 for road upgrades at the centre, initially delayed by pandemic-related Movement Control Order restrictions. 'This centre now serves as an educational hub for students studying plant varieties,' she added at the event attended by state committee chairman Teh Kok Lim and district officer Mohd Nasrul Menhat. – Bernama
New Straits Times
31-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Expert: Climate change, urban growth driving rising temperatures in Malaysia
KANGAR: Seasonal weather patterns, global climate change, urbanisation, and human activities are among the main contributors to the rising temperatures in Malaysia, says an academician. Associate Professor Dr Norazian Mohamed Noor from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), said one major factor is the Southwest Monsoon, which occurs from June to September and is characterised by dry weather, low rainfall, and minimal cloud formation. She said that such conditions result in more direct sunlight reaching the Earth's surface with little obstruction, thus significantly increasing daily temperatures. "The lack of consistent rainfall also reduces the natural moisture content in both soil and air, making the environment hotter and drier," she told Utusan Malaysia yesterday. Previously, it was reported that Malaysia's average surface temperature rose by 0.6°C to 1.2°C between 1969 and 2009, and the country is now facing an increasingly unpredictable climate crisis driven by global warming. Projections suggest that if no strong mitigation steps are taken, the rise could reach 1.5°C to 2.0°C by 2050. As of the third week of this month, over 300 cases of heat exhaustion have been reported, particularly among children and the elderly, and the risk of heatstroke is also rising among outdoor workers such as construction labourers, farmers, and military personnel. Norazian said global warming is the primary cause of overall temperature increases worldwide, including in Malaysia, and that the prolonged El Niño phenomenon, ongoing from late 2023 to mid-2025, has had a significant impact on weather patterns. She said it has disrupted tropical rainfall systems, raised sea surface temperatures, and caused prolonged droughts and dry weather conditions. "According to reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), 2025 is projected to be among the hottest years ever recorded in modern history. "In addition, forest fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, have contributed to worsening air quality in Malaysia, particularly in Negri Sembilan and the Klang Valley, as thick smoke has been carried by winds, especially in Klang, with the Air Pollution Index (API) reaching between 152 and 157. "The extreme heat in Malaysia and the forest fires in Indonesia are closely linked. The Southwest Monsoon (June–September) brings dry conditions that accelerate the spread of fires in Indonesia, while also enabling smoke to drift over to Peninsular Malaysia. "This worsens an already hot environment, as the smoke traps heat in the atmosphere (heat trapping), further intensifying the perceived temperature and impacting public comfort and health," she added. Norazian also said that rapid urbanisation and city expansion in Malaysia are contributing to rising temperatures, particularly through the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
New Straits Times
26-07-2025
- New Straits Times
PwSC implements urgent measures to mitigate water supply issues
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) has implemented immediate measures to reduce disruptions and low water pressure during peak hours in several areas across the state, particularly in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), amid the current hot weather. Its chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, said the company's move to optimise its pipeline system, including valve adjustments, to channel more water to affected areas, has helped shorten the duration of interruptions. Currently, consumers experience low water pressure during the peak hours of between 6pm and 11pm, but efforts are in progress to reduce the disruption to just two to three hours daily. "July and August are the most challenging months due to higher demand and usage during the hot season, especially with ongoing development projects. "During peak hours, some 3,000 to 4,000 consumer accounts, mostly in SPS, are affected by low pressure, and we've even received complaints of complete supply loss for three to five hours," he told reporters at the Air Itam Dam yesterday. He was speaking after officiating the Auxiliary Police Hub of Perbadanan Bekalan Air Holdings Bhd, launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Also present was Penang Acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin Pathmanathan said that any further increase in water pressure could raise the level of non-revenue water, including the risk of leaks and burst pipes, as parts of the piping system in the affected areas are more than 50 years old. He noted that two major projects have been approved as long-term solutions for SPS. The first is the Sungai Kerian Water Treatment Plant project, with a capacity of 114 million litres per day (MLD), which is already underway and expected to be completed within 14 to 18 months. "The second is a new 50 MLD Dissolved Air Flotation water treatment module at Sungai Kerian, which was recently approved by the board of directors and is expected to be completed within 12 to 14 months," he said. Affected areas in SPS include Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal, Jawi, Simpang Ampat, Bukit Tambun, and Batu Kawan.
