KOTA TINGGI: The newly-launched second phase of Petronas' Raw Water Supply Project to RAPID (PAMER) which will transfer 40 to 60 million litres of raw water from Sungai Seluyut to the Sungai Lebam dam will prevent further cases of water supply rationing in the Pengerang subdistrict.
State secretary Datuk Ismail Karim said the project was vital as the water supply to Pengerang and many areas in Johor relied on the amount of rainfall, and this was badly affected in the last four years due to a drop in rainfall patterns.
"The early water supply project which will supply 40 to 60 million litres of water daily from Sungai Seluyut to Sungai Lebam dam will indirectly solve the issue of water rationing specifically for Pengerang residents.
"The state government and Petronas are extremely concerned with the plight of Pengerang folk who previously endured rationing due to low rainfall.
"This was beyond our powers because the rainfall amounts have dropped drastically in the past four years (in the area). Previously, there would be 3,000 mililitres of rainfall per year but this has been reduced to 1,600 mililitres per year," said Ismail after officially launching the operations of the early raw water supply phase under PAMER in Sungai Seluyut, here.
Ismail said PAMER will alleviate the water woes that were faced by 50,000 Pengerang residents who had to ensure water rationing last year.
PAMER, which is currently in its second phase of development is expected to be completed in May 31 this year.
Once completed PAMER will supply 230 million litres per day of raw water to the Pengerang Integrated Complex, which includes RAPID (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development), and another 30 million litres per day of raw water to the Sungai Lebam dam to supplement existing water supply for public consumption in Pengerang.