Water rationing expansion hits 2.2 consumers

The ongoing water rationing exercise has been expanded and the second phase will begin on Sunday involving a larger area in the Klang Valley.

The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) said the month long exercise from March 2 to March 31 will affect six areas namely Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor.

SPAN chairman Datuk Ismail Kassim said some 2.2 million consumers will receive intermittent supply during the exercise, alternating between two days with water and two days of dry taps.

The second phase of the water rationing exercise followed a longer than expected dry spell in the country brought about low water reserves at seven dams in Selangor which supplies water to residents in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Yesterday water at the Sungai Selangor dam and the Klang Gates dam was at critical levels after dropping to 47.57 percent and 53.54 percent respectively.

In a bid to conserve the water at these two dams, the volume of raw water released will also be reduced by 200 million litres per day at the Sungai Selangor dam and 30 million litres per day at the Klang Gates dam.

Ismail stressed the water rationing exercise in Kluang, Johor will also be extended throughout March following dropping water levels at Sungai Sembrong Kiri.