KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — Affected consumers in the Klang Valley will likely have their piped water supply restored by Thursday, the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry indicated today.

Under heavy fire over the timing of the water disruption just before Christmas, the ministry said the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has agreed to cut the scheduled water rationing exercise in the Klang Valley from six to four days.

“Given that this water disruption exercise affects more than 3.8 million consumers, SPAN has agreed to ensure works to restore water supply to be done in four days and based on a ‘two days on, two days off’ rationing method at the two affected zones,” it said in a statement.

The ministry also said Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS) would also adopt a “two days on, two days off” rationing method during this period for the affected areas.

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During the rationing exercise, the ministry said consumers living on higher ground will experience longer water disruption due to low pressure.

To address this, it said SYABAS will send out 64 water tanks to cater to affected consumers, especially those living in high density and urgent need areas.

However, the ministry defended the timing of the scheduled maintenance works, saying the decision was a collective agreement it had with SPAN, SYABAS, Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), Energy Commission, Sungai Selangor Water Distributor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

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“Today was picked to prevent any unscheduled and serious power disruption.

“Besides, the usage of water during year end (monsoon season) is usually lower than other months,” it said, in its explanation to hold the exercise during this festive period.

During the repairing works, the ministry said that there will be a scheduled power disruption for 16 hours, but without revealing the exact figure of affected consumers.

TNB is undertaking repairing works at its Transmission Main Intake in Bukit Badong, Hulu Selangor. The work at the facility will leave three major water treatment facilities running at lowered capacity.

“Three water treatment plants namely the Sungai Selangor Phase One, Two and Three, will be operating on a generator set.

“However, the generator set is only able to work at 50 per cent of its maximum level,” it said.

All three treatment plants, according to the statement, supply 2.8 million litres of water to 60 per cent of the people in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The water disruption affects 707,759 account holders in 814 districts in Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.