KUANTAN: There is enough water in the state’s four dams to meet the needs of the people.
State Basic Amenities, Public Delivery System and Innovations Committee chairman Datuk Seri Norol Azali Sulaiman said the water in the Chereh (Kuantan), Klau (Raub), and Anak Endau and Pontian (Rompin) dams would last throughout the dry season until May.
Norol Azali said the Kobat water intake point and the Bukit Kenau and Panching water treatment plants in Kuantan were still taking water from Sungai Kuantan.
“Since the water processing plants in Kuantan still rely on water from Sungai Kuantan, the state government has not released the (Chereh) dam water and will continue monitoring the river’s water levels.
“Discussions will be conducted with the Drainage and Irrigation Department to monitor the river’s water level before we decide to open the dam.
“When required, Pengurusan Air Pahang Bhd will be informed to release the water from the dam,” he said after visiting the Chereh Dam.
Norol Azali said the drop in water levels at the Chereh Dam was not the result of the hot spell, but due to the damaged embankment at the Kobat barrage gate last year,
He said currently the water level at the Chereh Dam was 63m with a volume of 125 million cubic metres.
He said the dam had a capacity of 250 million cubic metres.
“Since it was built in 2008 until last year, the Chereh Dam’s water level had not dipped below 69m, but the current level was because the dam released water between February and September last year to raise the water level in Sungai Kuantan after the sand bund at the Kobat barrage gate broke due to heavy rainfall.
“The dam (Chereh) has yet to return to its maximum level, but the supply is sufficient until the end of the dry season, which is expected in May. We hope it will rain soon.”
Norol Azali said Felda Chini settlers were facing water woes because their main source of raw water was Sungai Mentiga. He said they were not supplied by a dam.
“When the river water level dropped, the intake point will not be able to process the water and this causes a disruption.
“Plans to build a water retention pond at the Sungai Mentiga intake was approved by the previous government, but has yet to be implemented.
“We hope Felda will look into it soon.
“Although we have enough water, I would like to advise people to use water wisely as we do not know when it will rain and if the hot spell will last longer.”
Meanwhile, a Pahang Water Regulatory Body spokesman said the authorities were monitoring Chereh dam’s water levels daily.
He said it was still at a comfortable level, but he was concerned that the dry weather may drag on beyond May.