Machang: Water supply to about 34,000 consumer accounts in Machang, southern Kota Bharu, and parts of Pasir Puteh is expected to be restored in stages from noon tomorrow following a main pipe leak in Pulai Chondong here.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr. Izani Husin reported that the leak in the 1,100-millimetre glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe was detected on Friday. Excavation and repair works commenced on the same day. The pipe, commissioned in 2018, had a leak measuring approximately 10 centimetres, with cracks affecting nearly half of the pipe, believed to be caused by erosion.

Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) engaged specialist contractors from Kemaman, Terengganu, to conduct urgent repairs, initially expected to take 10 days but completed in four. After the disruption, 24 lorries and water tankers were dispatched to deliver about 1.04 million litres of water daily to affected consumers, including hospitals, dialysis centres, prisons, schools, hostels, educational institutions, and residential areas. Assistance was provided by water operators from Kedah, Pahang, Johor, Penang, Selangor, and Perak.

Meanwhile, AKSB head of Production Dr. Mohd Hilmi P. Ramli mentioned that the company plans to replace the GRP pipe with mild steel pipes after experiencing the fourth leak since its commissioning eight years ago. In the initial phase, about 800 metres of the 10-kilometre pipeline will be replaced with funding from Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad, estimated to cost RM3 million.