Penang state government will not carry out water rationing this month but will instead launch contingency plans in an effort to avoid water rationing in the future, should the dry spells continue.

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the efficient management by Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has allowed the state to avoid carrying out water rationing exercise.

“Even then, if April continues to be a dry month, then the state government and the PBAPP will carry out contingency plans to avoid water rationing by further upgrading our existing efficient water supply management and implementing water demand management measures,” Lim said in a press statement, Wednesday.

Among the steps taken include request for cloud seeding from the Federal government at Muda water catchment area as an effort to increase water levels in Sungai Muda.

"We will also inform the Water Supply Department which is under the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (KeTTHA) to request Kedah to release water into the Sungai Muda to sustain a sufficient level for PBAPP to continue drawing water for water supply in Penang," stated Lim.

He added KeTTHA had given a written guarantee that water will be released from Kedah into the Sungai Muda whenever there is a shortfall.

“The cost to release water from Kedah into Sungai Muda will also be borne by KeTTHA,” he said.

Meanwhile, the water level in Sungai Muda plays an important role in water distribution to the people of Penang as PBAPP draws 80 per cent of treated water daily from it.

Until Tuesday, water levels in the river had recorded a level of 2.69 meter, which is still above the alert level of 2 meter.

Water capacity at the three main dams in Penang had also showed a decrease in water levels.

Lim had also called on Penangites to conserve water beginning today as they are the biggest water consumer in the country with 295 litres per capita a day, last year.

“In the first two months in this year alone, the figure had a 5.4 per cent increase to 311 litres per capita a day. This shows that the consumption is 46.7 per cent more than national consumption of 212 litres per capita a day,” he said.

Lim however in his statement added, that steps taken by the state and PBAPP to save water through education and implementing penalty for water wastage were not successful.

“So, in the meeting this morning, we agreed not to have water rationing this month but we accept PBAPP’s management’s request to actively study increasing water tariffs to reduce water consumption,” he said.