GEORGE TOWN: When a typing mistake in a press statement stated that Air Itam reservoir here had only five days of water left, most Penangites just laughed at it, said Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng.
“I just chuckled and did not react. Mistakes in writing happen. If there were really only five days of water left, it would be impossible for us to sit around and do nothing.
“We would have started serious emergency procedures because the Air Itam dam feeds water to the most densely populated areas of Penang island’s Northeast District,” he said yesterday.
The momentary false alarm came from a media statement by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) on Friday evening, where it stated that while Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis, with a minimum depth of 26m at 56.21% full, could last 149 days, Air Itam dam, with a minimum depth of 223.95m at 34.1% full, could last just five days.
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“Years of experience tell us that we use roughly 1% of Air Itam dam’s water a day. So when our dam stands at 34.1%, we will have over a month’s supply until the rainy season comes.
“And I was told that Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) had increased water treatment volume from water drawn through Sungai Muda to cater to our side of the island.
“Penang might be a small state, but we are ultra-efficient with water management,” stressed Ng.
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Ng said the spring equinox had passed, and as of March 29 (Friday), the north-east monsoon had died down, and Malaysia would feel the effects of the inter-monsoon period now.
“It has been raining at least once every day in Penang. This weather pattern has gone on for decades, and it is still happening like clockwork, even if it had felt extra warm during the dry months earlier this year.
“But it is raining again in our catchment areas now, as it has always been, and I assure all Penangites that our water supply is fine,” said Ng.
Meanwhile, PBAPP chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan confirmed that the Air Itam reservoir had 34 days of water in stock.
“It was just a typing error, and we will do the corrections,” he said yesterday.
Responding to The Star, SPAN confirmed that “after checking the data, a correction is needed, and Air Itam dam has 34 days of water”.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said water levels at the three main dams in the state are sufficient for all users, even during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
“The water level at Sungai Muda is over 2m, well above the critical level, meaning the river can supply raw water to the water treatment plant.
“I can say that disruptions of water supply due to the dam water levels will not occur unless there are things beyond our expectations, such as floods in Baling.”