Aidap 2024 Contingency Measures To Sustain Air Itam Dam's Effective Capacity - Pbapp

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has introduced four contingency engineering measures as part of the Air Itam Dam Action Plan 2024 (AIDAP 2024) to sustain the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam, at least until the onset of the next rainy season.

According to PBAPP chief executive officer, K. Pathmanathan, these measures involve a 75 per cent reduction in the daily release of raw water from the dam to the Air Itam Water Treatment Plant (LRA), a decrease from 44 million litres per day (jlh) to 11 jlh.

He explained that the second measure involves optimising the intake of raw water from the Utama and TAT water intake points, which are the two additional sources of raw water for the Air Itam LRA with a targeted rate of 6 jlh. 

"The third step focuses on reducing the production of treated water at the Air Itam LRA by 66 per cent, diminishing the output from 50 jlh to 17 jlh per day.

"Whereas, the fourth step is to pump 33 jlh of treated water from the Sungai Dua LRA (Seberang Perai) into the Air Itam LRA service area, compensating for the shortfall of 33 jlh in its outflow of treated water," he said in a statement today.

Over the past 11 days, including the peak of the Chinese New Year celebration, Pathmanathan noted that the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam has experienced a marginal decrease of 0.4 per cent, equivalent to less than 0.04 per cent per day.

"On Feb 5, the effective capacity at the dam was 32.8 per cent and yesterday, it was recorded at 32.4 per cent. This is the result of implementing the AIDP 2024," he said.

Pathmanathan reported that the present level of the Sungai Muda stands at a considered 'healthy' level of 2.02 metres, as of yesterday.

He went on to clarify that the capacity of the Muda Dam and the Beris Dam, responsible for releasing water into Sungai Muda, is reported to be at 74.8 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively.

Considering this situation, he expressed optimism that PBAPP can uphold the emergency measures outlined in AIDAP 2024 for the next 30 to 60 days.

Regarding the current hot weather, Pathmanathan mentioned that, despite AIDAP 2024 aiming to gradually increase the effective capacity of the Itam Water Dam, the low rainfall of only 1.5 mm since Feb 1, coupled with a rise in temperature to 36 degrees Celsius, has led to a reduced average inflow of water into the dam.

He further explained that the flow into the dam fluctuates between 10 and 12 jlh from the three inlets of Balik Pulau, Sungai Tepi, and Sungai Pinang Barat, resulting in a slight decrease of 0.4 per cent between Feb 5 to 16.

-- BERNAMA