SHAH ALAM, May 15 — Thousands of residents on Pulau Ketam have had their water supply disrupted for 11 days after the undersea pipe that channels water from Pelabuhan Klang to the island burst.
Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd said the damaged section has been identified and repairs are underway, with water supply to the island to be restored on Sunday.
Pulau Ketam village head Wang Kheng Hwa said a complaint was submitted to Air Selangor after residents realised water pressure on the island was low and intermittent.
He added that upon investigation, the authority believes the undersea pipe connecting Pelabuhan Klang to Pulau Ketam was cut by a fishing vessel fan.
He said the three areas affected are Pulau Ketam, Kampung Bagan Sungai Lima dan Bagan Teochew, with the last area the worst-hit.
“Throughout the disruption period, Air Selangor sent RO (reverse osmosis) drinking water to residents every day, with each household receiving between two and four barrels,” he told Media Selangor.
Wang also said Air Selangor took nearly a week to detect the damaged section of the pipe, including by using dye to find the leak.
He added that undersea repairs aren’t easy as technical teams must wait for low tide to weld the pipe, and have to obtain permission from the Marine Department.
“Even though around 70 per cent of residents have their own rain harvesting systems for washing and toilet pumps, the recent dry weather has nearly depleted their water stockpiles.
“However, I was informed by Air Selangor that repairs are being done and are expected to be completed on Sunday,” he said.
Wang urged that the old pipe network in Pulau Ketam, which is between 30 and 40 years old, be replaced and restructured immediately to prevent a recurrence, and for the pipe network to be moved from the seabed to land as a long-term solution.
“The issue of burst undersea pipes is reported almost every year and this incident is the second one recorded this year.
“Usually, when tides are low early in the month and mid-month according to the lunar calendar, fishing boats use a longer route to avoid the pipe area, but there are still several boats passing through the area and causing cuts to the pipe.
“If a pipe bursts on land, it could be repaired in half a day, but (with pipe) damage at the seabed, it takes a longer time,” Wang added.
Meanwhile, Air Selangor said it would expedite pipe replacement works in critical areas around Pulau Ketam this year, adding that works involving the main pipe will be completed by the second quarter of 2028.
Air Selangor is also studying a few long-term solutions that are more sustainable, including upgrading pipes and introducing the smart meter initiative, digital monitoring, and more comprehensive operational controls in Pulau Ketam.
