10,000 Kota Tinggi households affected by water rationing
JOHOR BARU: Water supply to 10,000 households in several areas in Kota Tinggi was affected following the imposition of scheduled water supply in the district.
The decision was taken after the operations of the Lok Heng and Sungai Gembut water treatment plants were affected due to the prolonged dry spell.
According to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), the Lok Heng plant was operating at a minimal level.
This was after water level at Sungai Sedili Kecil dropped below the critical level.
“Scheduled water supply had also been imposed in the Lok Heng plant distribution area since March 15, while in the Sungai Gembut distribution area, it had been in place since last Thursday,” said the commission.
Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd said the Lok Heng plant supplies water to Gugusan Felda Bukit Waha, Kuari Bukit Waha, Gugusan Felda Lok Heng and Bukit Tentera with 4,004 accounts being affected.
It said the Sungai Gembut plant supplied water to Felda Aping Barat, Felda Aping Timur, Gembut Cina, Bandar Sri Perani, Sedili Kecil, Mawai, Kampung Gembut, Kampung Sayang and Kampung Telok — affecting 6,041 account holders.
For residents in the affected areas, the rationing move had only caused a minor inconvenience.
“As the water supply is stopped every few days, our daily lives are affected.
“But we are thankful for having access to clean water,” said Haziyah Hadman, a resident in Felda Simpang Waha.
She said Ranhill SAJ would send water tankers to areas that could not get piped water supply.
SPAN said scheduled water supply had been planned for several areas in Kluang and Pontian as the Simpang Renggam plant was affected by the drop in the water level at the Machap Dam.
Ranhill SAJ chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman said scheduled water supply had not started in the areas supplied by the Simpang Renggam plant.
“We will monitor the water level at the plant. About 26,114 account holders are supplied by the plants in Simpang Renggam, Kluang and Pontian Utara,” said Faizal.
He said the company had stopped the operation of the Sungai Mersing water treatment plant due to reduced water intake to the plant.
“There is no scheduled water supply imposed in the area and we have mobilised water tanker trucks to supply treated water to the affected areas,” said Faizal.