KUALA LUMPUR – Upcoming scheduled water disruptions affecting dozens of areas in Klang Valley are a brief hassle consumers have to face to avoid more complex and long-lasting issues in the future.
As such, National Water Services Commission chairman Charles Santiago told Scoop that holding off Air Selangor’s asset maintenance and replacement works at the Sg Selangor Phase 1 water treatment plant will only compound existing problems.
The scheduled water cuts will impact areas in Petaling Jaya, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor and Kuala Selangor on June 5.
“Previously, unscheduled water cuts and supply disruptions happened often because, for example, a pipe would burst due to a lack of maintenance.
“The upcoming temporary disruption (on June 5) is needed for maintenance works. If the works aren’t carried out, the distribution system’s efficiency will drop as potential problems will go unaddressed.
“The purpose of the maintenance works is to prevent any problems in the future while keeping every part of the public system under control.”
He also said Air Selangor is expected to have identified the required repairs already, which means that as soon as water supply is halted at 9am on June 5, its personnel can immediately start work.
Asked whether there is a chance of the works taking longer than expected, Santiago said: “It’s unlikely. (There’s only a) slim chance that the temporary water disruptions will have to be extended.”
Previously, it was reported that Air Selangor’s works are projected to conclude by 7pm on the same day, with water gradually being reinstated in stages starting 3am the following day.
Initial recovery estimates suggest a 20% restoration of water supply by 3pm on June 6, a promising 90% recovery by 3am on June 7 and full restoration by noon on June 7.
Air Selangor will be mobilising water tankers to the affected areas while prioritising critical premises such as hospitals, clinics, dialysis centres and funeral homes.
Additionally, four local water filling stations will be operational for commercial customers at Braemar Estate (Hulu Langat region), Taman Gemilang Dengkil, and Pekan Salak (Sepang region), as well as Taman Banting Baru (Kuala Langat region).
For updates, consumers can refer to the Air Selangor mobile application, Facebook, and Instagram pages, or contact its call centre at 15300.
Details are also available on Air Selangor’s official website. – May 19, 2024