GEORGE TOWN: Consumers in Penang have been urged to reduce water usage to avert any possible rationing in view of the drought which has hit the state for most part of the last four months.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa (pix) said key dams in Penang, namely in Teluk Bahang, Air Itam and Mengkuang, are having significantly lower than normal levels this year.
The capacity of the Air Itam Dam reduced to 62% on Monday, while the Teluk Bahang Dam is at 39.5%.
Jaseni said that the primary cause for the situation is abnormally low rainfall for the past four months, which he blamed on the climate change.
“Avoid using a hose to clean your home or wash your vehicle, use a broom, and a mop to clean your home,“ Jaseni told a press conference in Komtar today.
Also present was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“Do not use a hose to water your garden or plants every day, use a watering can instead do not leave a tap running, shut off every tap when finished using and teach the younger generation to also follow suit,“ he said.
To prevent rationing, PBAPP has been minimising raw water draw down from the two dams.
“When the dams’ water level goes down to 30%, we will request the state government to carry out cloud seeding,“ he added.
