BUTTERWORT: The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) hopes that the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) and the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) will no longer delay the water tariff revision presented in March.
PBAPP Director General Datuk Ir Jaseni Maidinsa stressed that it is time for the government to decide on the review after it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We fear that if it is further delayed, it will affect the quality of water supply services as the company does not have sufficient funds.
“It would also affect the key performance indicators set to provide the best services to the people of the state,” he told reporters after the launch of the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP). by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow here today.
Jaseni also noted that the existing domestic water tariff in Penang for the first 35,000 liters per month was the lowest in Malaysia at RM0.32 per 1,000 litres. The last revision of water tariffs in Penang was implemented in 2015.
“As such, the PBAPP sees one of the ways to ensure that people continue to be prudent is to set the new water tariff and also to better manage the growing demand for water in this regard. time,” he said.
Jaseni said that the PBAPP will speed up the implementation of two important projects, namely phase two of the sedimentation tank upgrade and the Sungai Dua LRA 12A package to increase the capacity of Sungai Dua LRA.
The sedimentation tank upgrade project began in October 2020 and involved upgrading six existing sedimentation tanks in stages. Currently, it is 67% complete, with four upgraded tanks functioning optimally.
“When the six reservoirs are fully operational in October, the production of Sungai Dua LRA will increase to 30 million liters per day,” he added.
For package 12A, Jaseni said its development is now being accelerated with work starting in March this year, adding that operations are expected to start in December next year. – Bernama
