IPOH: The installation of 11.5km of piping from the Lawin Water Treatment Plant to Kampung Ayer Ganda is expected to be completed before Hari Raya this year.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu gave his assurance to residents of the village that installation works are progressing smoothly, and that they will enjoy regular water supply before the festive celebration.
“At this moment, (the villagers) are still getting their clean water supply from tanker lorries sent by the Perak Water Board daily,” he said at a press conference at the state legislative assembly at the Perak Darul Ridzuan building here, today.
Asked on when the Ayer Ganda Water Treatment Plant will be re-opened following the discovery of arsenic elements in Sungai Rui, Ahmad Faizal, who is also chairman of the task force investigating the matter, said they are waiting for the green light from the Health Ministry and National Water Services Commission (SPAN).
“Yesterday, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye was reported as saying the water is safe for washing and bathing, but not for cooking. I believe SPAN will come out with a statement on the matter,” Ahmad Faizal added.
SPAN had issued a statement yesterday that the Ayer Ganda water treatment plant had traces of arsenic of more than 0.02 mg/L, which is 0.01 mg/L higher than the permissible level set by the Health Ministry.
Following reports of 0.024mg/L arsenic levels detected at the same plant by the Health Ministry, SPAN ordered an indefinite shutdown of the plant on April 9. Since then, the Perak Water Board (LAP) has been supplying water to affected residents using nine tanker lorries and 13 static water tanks placed at strategic locations.