In response to growing concerns about possible shortages caused by the low water levels at its dams, residents of Malaysia’s Penang status have been urged to reduce their water usage.
A number of water-saving advice has been given, including recommending people to cut down on how often they wash their cars and use watering bottles when caring for their species.
According to the Penang Water Supply Corporation, a state-owned organization that oversees the water supply there, the effective ability of the rivers in Air Hitam and Teluk Bahang is now 27.6 % and 25.2 percent, respectively.
According to The Star, its chief executive officer K Pathmanathan stated on Tuesday ( Aug 20 ) that the state’s two dams ‘ low effective capacities posed a threat to the water supply of close to 75, 000 consumer accounts.
” This sensation does not just affect Penang’s rivers,” says the author. Important dams in the state of Kedah and Perak are also affected by it, according to Mr. Pathmanathan, adding that the state’s water levels are low as a result of the state’s “abnormally clean weather” that has been occurring since the last quarter of 2023.
He added:” Despite some precipitation from Aug 1 to 10, it did not increase the dams ‘ power due to the higher normal water use”.
He added that the two rivers were built and designed to be refilled by water and cannot be refilled by any other methods.
Even though Mr. Pathmanathan has urged the government to reduce their water usage, he claimed that there is” no immediate danger” to the water supply services of” about 66.7 per share of Penang’s water buyers.”
Because of how well-equipped are they, the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant, which extracts liquid from the Sungai Muda, serves them.
” The river levels of Sungai Muda is comparatively’ good’ for today”, said Mr Pathmanathan.
The National Water Services Commission ( SPAN ) of Malaysia issued a call last week to states to find new water sources in response to droughts that are likely to be brought on by climate change.
According to its chairman Charles Santiago, The Vibes reported that state governments have been reluctant to make extensive changes to combat the effects of dryness so much, primarily because of cost problems.
Because culture change is here to stay, prolonged droughts and water offer problems may be common occurrences. There are no two way about it, Mr. Santiago was quoted by the media site as saying.
He more warned the different state governments in Malaysia that they need to know that the country’s water source may not be as reliable as it once was.
Mr. Santiago’s remarks were based on a statement made by Kedah’s Chief Minister Muhammad Sanusi Md that neither the northern position was relying on God to restore the three rivers ‘ water levels.  ,