Mengkuang Dam bolsters Penang water supply

Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) has initiated the drawdown of reserves from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD) in Seberang Perai to sustain Penang’s water supply, following a significant drop in the water level of Sungai Muda.

For four consecutive days, the level at the PBAPP intake of Lahar Tiang, Seberang Perai, fell below the 2.0m “safe level.”

Maintaining water supply amid challenges

PBAPP began drawing an average of 41 million litres per day (MLD) from the Mengkuang Dam on 13 July 2024.

PBAPP CEO Ir. Pathmanathan K. explained, “The maximum drawdown capacity of the EMD is 600 MLD.”

This combined effort with water from Sungai Muda ensures that the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), Penang’s largest and most critical treatment facility, continues to produce sufficient treated water for approximately 465,000 consumers in Seberang Perai, Daerah Timur Laut (DTL), and Daerah Barat Daya (DBD) on Penang Island.

“The daily EMD drawdowns ensure that the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant continues to produce an average of 1,026.59 MLD of treated water,” Pathmanathan stated.

Mengkuang Dam current water levels

The effective capacity of the 160-billion-litre Muda Dam in Kedah, which supplies water to Sungai Muda, was reported at 25.7% as of 12 July 2024.

The Muda Dam, along with the Beris Dam, plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels in Sungai Muda for both Kedah and Penang.

As of 11 July 2024, the Beris Dam reported a level of 82.4%, with a maximum capacity of 120 billion litres.

“Kedah has the option to release more water from the Beris Dam to help maintain the Sungai Muda. This measure will avoid any major issues at 14 WTPs in Kedah and the Sungai Dua WTP in Penang,” Pathmanathan said.

As of 14 July 2024, the effective capacity of the EMD was at 90.5%. While the current low levels of Sungai Muda do not pose an immediate threat to Penang’s water supply, PBAPP remains on high alert, closely monitoring the river’s status as it is Penang’s primary raw water resource.

Pathmanathan urged all water consumers in Penang to use water wisely. “The Sungai Muda river level is low and the reserves of the Muda Dam have been depleted,” he warned.

For water-saving tips and further information, please visit www.pba.com.my.