CYBERJAYA: The ongoing dry and hot weather has seen many locations in Peninsula Malaysia facing lower rainfall as a consequence.
The situation is expected to persist until the end of April said the National Water Services Commission (SPAN).
SPAN Chairman Charles Santiago said due to the ongoing hot and dry weather several rivers and dams nationwide has seen a very noticeable drop in their water level.
“This in turn has seen water treatment plants (LRA) reduce production of treated water or stop operating all together due to reduced availability of raw water,” he said in a statement today.
He revealed that in Kedah, the reduced raw water resources at the Tupah, Merbok and Gurun LRA have been ongoing quite some time.
This has seen the plants operating only at 50 per cent production capacity compared to normal conditions, he said.
"Consequently, this has seen water supply disruption affecting Merbok, Tanjung Dawai, Bedong, Semeling, Singkir and Gurun, which has affected 6,000 account holders in the areas.
"Water supplies through water tankers and static tanks have since been provided to consumers to minimise the impact of supply disruption,” he said.
Meanwhile in Johor, Charles said the water level at the Sedili Kecil River remained below the critical level.
This in turn had caused the Lok Heng LRA in Kota Tinggi to operate at the minimum level, he said.
"Scheduled water supply (water rationing) in the area had been in force since March 15 and involved 4,004 account holders”.
He added that scheduled water supply (water rationing) in areas supplied by LRA Sg. Gembut in Kota Tinggi also had been implemented from March 21 onwards involving 5,168 account holders.
In Kluang district, scheduled water supply (water rationing) has been planned said Charles, following the decline in the water levels at Macap and Sg Benut Dam which has affected the Simpang Renggam LRA operations.
“It is estimated that 10,750 account holders in the Benut and Pontian areas as well as 15,364 account holders in the Simpang Renggam area would be affected,” Charles said.
Meanwhile, he said yesterday the Sg Mersing LRA operations in Mersing had to be stopped after water level at the river fell below the minimum level. This in turn affected the water being drawn into the water intake of the LRA.
“SPAN reminded all state water operators to carry out scheduled water rationing due to shortage in drawing raw water from existing sources,” he said.
He said the respective state water operators have also been reminded to ensure that adequate water supply is delivered to consumers either through existing distribution pipes or water tankers according to planning schedule approved by SPAN.
Charles also directed water operator's to suspend all non-critical maintenance work temporarily for the moment so that water supply can be supplied continuously, without any disruption.
All water operators are also required to place in standby, machinery, vehicles, tools, equipment and manpower to carry out repair works immediately in the event breakdown or disruption involving water treatment plants or water supply pipes, he added.
“Water operators should also strive to ensure water supply through distribution systems or supplied via water tanks to critical users such as hospitals and dialysis centres are uninterrupted”, Charles said.