Penang: The RM250 million Taman Mengkuang Water Treatment Plant (LRA) project, undertaken by Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP), has achieved a 35 percent progress milestone. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the physical work on the project, which began on May 19 last year, is progressing smoothly according to schedule, with a completion date set for November 18.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the plant will source its daily supply from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD), the largest dam in the state. Upon completion, it will be capable of supplying up to 114 million litres per day of treated water to consumers, particularly in the Seberang Perai Tengah district. The EMD, initially serving as a strategic dam for emergencies involving the Sungai Dua LRA, will now play a crucial role as part of the Water Contingency Plan 2030 (WCP2030).

Chow, who also serves as PBAPP chairman, stated that alongside the water treatment plant project, two main pipelines are being constructed. These will facilitate the distribution of treated water to consumers in the Seberang Perai Tengah area, ensuring a stable water supply and optimizing the operation of water pumps along the route, including in Permatang Tinggi, to channel supply to southern areas of the state.

PBAPP's chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, explained that the Taman Mengkuang LRA is the first of four new treatment plants being developed under Phase 2 of WCP2030. The remaining plants, which will use water sources from Sungai Kerian, Sungai Perai, and Sungai Muda, are scheduled to be completed by 2030. Phase 2 aims to increase PBAPP's water treatment capacity in Seberang Perai by 478 MLD, reducing the region's dependency on the Sungai Dua LRA.

Pathmanathan mentioned that the operational start of the Taman Mengkuang LRA will transform the EMD from a strategic dry-season dam into a dual-function dam. It will serve as both a water supply source for increased treated water production and as a backup during dry seasons and emergencies involving Sungai Muda. The change in EMD's role aims to optimize existing raw water resources to ensure adequate water supply through 2030.