The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will lay two massive 1.8-metre diameter pipelines as part of Phase 3 of the Water Contingency Plan 2030 (WCP 2030), a RM2.1 billion strategy to secure the state’s water future.
The pipelines are designed to channel more treated water from the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to the Barat Daya district on Penang Island, where demand is projected to surge from 202 million litres per day (MLD) this year to 301 MLD by 2030.
The first pipeline, stretching approximately 13km, will run from the Sungai Dua WTP to the connection point of the Penang Third Undersea Twin Pipeline Project (3rd PTSP) in Butterworth on the mainland.
The second pipeline, costing RM56 million, will cover about 3.9km on the island, connecting the 3rd PTSP landing point in the Macallum area to the Bukit Dumbar Reservoir and Pump House Complex. Construction began this month and is targeted for completion by May 2027.
PBAPP Chief Executive Officer Dato’ K. Pathmanathan said the second pipeline would face challenges including traffic management, utility relocation involving Tenaga Nasional Berhad and telecommunications lines, and land acquisition constraints. The work will be implemented in two phases, with Phase 2 crossing the Sungai Pinang.
“In addition, with the cooperation of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), the Public Works Department (JKR) and local authorities, we are confident these challenges can be overcome and the project completed as soon as possible,” he said.
The overall WCP 2030, with a total budget of RM416 million for pipe procurement, installation, excavation, road reinstatement and land acquisition, aims to optimise raw water resources, increase water treatment capacity and reduce dependency on the Sungai Dua WTP.
Currently, Penang Island receives approximately 400 MLD of treated water. The new pipelines are expected to raise that capacity to about 600 MLD.
Source: Malay Mail
