GEORGE TOWN – Penang will undergo a scheduled water supply interruption (SWSI) from April 25 to 28, lasting up to two and a half days. This will be the only planned water disruption in the state this year, according to the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).
More than 341,000 water consumers across all five districts will be affected. The announcement was made by the state government and PBAPP on March 27 to give Penangites ample time to prepare.
With a few days to go, Scoop breaks down the key details of this disruption, including its duration, the projects involved, and areas affected.
Why the scheduled disruption?
PBAPP CEO Datuk Ir K. Pathmanathan said the SWSI is being implemented to increase water pumping capacity and efficiency from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Tasek Gelugor. The move is expected to benefit 465,000 consumers – about 66% of PBAPP’s total customer base of 705,528 in the state.
This comes after the launch of the 114 million litres per day (MLD) Package 12A of the Sg Dua WTP, which will boost treated water production. PBAPP will carry out essential pipework and treated water pumping projects during the disruption period.
The scheduled disruption will impact 341,708 consumers statewide. The Southwest District on Penang island will be hardest hit, with 130,790 consumers affected due to its heavy reliance on the Sg Dua plant. Other affected districts include Southern Seberang Perai (77,921), Northeast District (73,090), Central Seberang Perai (38,796), and Northern Seberang Perai (21,111). The Sg Dua WTP will need to be partially shut down to facilitate the pipework.
How long is the disruption?
PBAPP stated that the total SWSI duration is 60 hours, from 10pm on Friday, April 25, to 10am on Monday, April 28. However, actual disruption times will vary by location.
24-hour disruption (10pm Friday to 10pm Saturday):
– 233 locations in Central Seberang Perai
– 54 locations in Northern Seberang Perai
– 43 locations in the Northeast District
– 2 locations in the Southwest District
Notable affected areas include George Town, Jelutong, Seberang Jaya, the Perai industrial area, Bukit Minyak Industrial Park, and Bukit Mertajam.
48-hour disruption (10pm Friday to 10pm Sunday):
– 221 locations in Southern Seberang Perai
– 27 locations in the Southwest District
Affected areas include USM’s main campus in Sg Dua, Bukit Jambul, Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas, Bukit Tambun, and Nibong Tebal.
60-hour disruption (10pm Friday to 10am Monday):
– 15 locations in the Southwest District
– 13 in Southern Seberang Perai
Key locations include southern coastal areas of Penang Island, such as Teluk Kumbar, Gertak Sanggul, and Sg Batu.
Several areas in Southern Seberang Perai, such as Taman Sg Duri, Taman Seruling Emas, and Kg Sg Duri in Sg Bakap, which have already faced prolonged supply issues, will also face the full 60-hour disruption.
How long is the recovery period?
PBAPP targets an 88% recovery of water supply within 48 hours across all districts, with full restoration expected by Monday.
“However, we may anticipate a few ‘localised’ issues in some of the higher ground and end-of-line neighbourhoods in Southern Seberang Perai and Southwest District,” Pathamanathan said during the March announcement.
What are the key projects?
A total of 23 projects will be carried out across nine PBAPP installations statewide. The main initiative is the final connection works for the new RM8.7 million Sg Perai River-Crossing Pipeline (SP-RCP) in Central Seberang Perai Tengah.
According to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the new pipeline will replace two temporary 600mm pipes installed along the Ampang Jajar bridge in Butterworth.
The temporary pipeline, built last year after a rupture in the Perai riverbed pipeline, has served over 200,000 consumers for the past 15 months. It will be decommissioned after the SP-RCP is connected, which will allow a higher volume of treated water to flow to the Southwest District.
“This district consists of densely populated areas such as Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas, Sg Ara, Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone and facilities such as Penang International Airport and USM.
“The installation of this SP-RCP will allow water consumers in the district to get a higher volume of water supply, better water pressure, and ensure quicker supply recovery for any disruptions that might occur in the future,” Chow said in a statement on Saturday, April 19.
Other major works at the Sg Dua WTP include:
– Urgent upgrades and maintenance of treated water pumping systems
– Repair of a 700mm pipeline leak
– Replacement of a butterfly valve on a major 1.2m pipeline section at Jalan Pengkalan Tambang
Chow defended the scheduled disruption as necessary to improve the state’s water infrastructure and urged Penangites to store sufficient water for 24 to 60 hours of use. PBAPP will deploy nearly 1,000 personnel for repairs, tanker operations, and customer support during the period.
Penangites can check PBAPP’s Facebook page or its website www.pba.com.my to learn more about the duration of disruption in their respective areas. – April 21, 2025