GEORGE TOWN, Jan 13: The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will install two new pipes in Sungai Perai as a temporary measure after a pipe sprang a new leak yesterday that was deemed to be irreparable, says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said the replacement work needed to be approved by the Public Works Department (JKR) as the diversion would cross the Ampang Jajar bridge, which was under the department’s supervision.
“The pipe has been at the riverbed for over 30 years and cannot be repaired and assessments indicate that the concrete protecting the pipe has been chipped off in many places, so PBAPP suggests that two new pipes be installed and we hope that JKR can approve it immediately as it is an emergency repair.
“For the long term, we will build a new pipe further from the bridge on the surface of the river and not at its bed,” he told reporters after an event in Penang Hill here today, adding that the two pipes would involve a detour of 500 metres. Work is expected to take a month to complete.
Regarding the leak at the riverbed, Chow, who is also PBAPP chairman, said that the situation was being monitored closely and experienced divers were available to make temporary repairs there if needed.
“We have sealed the leak but the high water pressure caused a leak in another area,” he said, stressing that the leak only affected consumers in the Barat Daya district and 88 per cent of the consumers (listed in PBAPP’s accounts) have regained their water supply, leaving only 10,000 affected.
— BERNAMA