RESIDENTS RUSH FOR CONTAINERS
People preparing to store water for ‘dry spell’
KLANG Valley residents, who will be affected by the 86-hour water disruption starting on Wednesday, spent the last few days making preparations to store water.
Water containers at several shops here are selling like hot cakes.
Checks at several shops in Section 2, 7 and 18 found the 48-litre water containers were fast running out of stock.
A shop assistant in Section 18, who wanted to be known only as Maskarto, said people had started buying water containers since Friday.
“Sales have been very good, especially yesterday (Saturday). People came to buy four to five
water containers each.
“One even bought 20 units,” he said yesterday.
He said there were two types of water containers available — red and black.
“Although the size is the same, the red water container is thicker and more durable.
“There were customers who came to buy the 32-litre water containers today (yesterday).”
The water disruption, which will affect residents in Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat and Kuala Selangor, is due to upgrading of the electrical supply system at the Sungai Selangor Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant (LRA SSP2).
On Friday, National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago said the upgrading by Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) was necessary to prevent any damage or risk of electrical system failure that could cause sudden water disruptions.
“Upgrading works will go on from 9am to 11pm, and this will stop LRA SSP2 from operating.”
With the shutdown, supply will be disrupted for up to 86 hours depending on consumers’ location. Up to 620,835 account holders or 4,143,465 consumers will be affected in 577 areas.
Air Selangor chief executive officer Suhaimi Kamaralzaman said the company would deploy 106 water tankers to areas that might still experience dry taps on April 26.
He said for emergency assistance, those in need of water supply could contact the 15300 hotline or send a WhatsApp message to 019-281 6793 or 019-280 0919.
In Kuala Lumpur, many shops were seen selling containers outside their shops after a notice was issued by SPAN a few days ago.
Shopkeeper Mei Fong, 45, said her shop had been enjoying brisk sales since Friday as people bought water containers in large quantities.
“Many of them opted for the 130-litre water containers priced between RM80 and RM90.
“I will have to place a new order with the suppliers as my stocks are running low,” she said at her shop in Jalan Raja Alang here yesterday.
Mother of three Nor Haida Mat Isa, 41, said she had stored water to meet her family’s daily needs, but was still concerned that it would not be enough.
“I had no choice but to buy additional water containers as the water disruption is expected to last up to 86 hours.
“During the period, I will have to buy food from the nearest restaurant as cooking at home is out of the question.
“We are staying on the 17th floor. So we must have extra supply as it will be difficult to carry water containers from the ground floor,” said the civil servant.