KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — Water levels at 37 of the 49 major dams supplying raw water to Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) in Peninsular Malaysia and the Labuan Federal Territory remain at normal levels as the country faces the El Nino phenomenon.
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) said two dams: Jus Dam, Melaka and Labong Dam, Johor, were at the alert level, nine at the warning level and one — Sungai Pagar Dam in Labuan — at the critical level.
“Dams at the warning level include Muda Dam and Ahning Dam in Kedah; Upper Layang Dam, Lower Layang Dam, Lebam Dam, Gunung Pulai 1 Dam, Gunung Pulai 2 Dam and Pontian Kechil Dam in Johor, as well as Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis.
“Timah Tasoh Dam, which had previously remained at the critical level for an extended period, has now improved to the warning level following some rainfall and the pumping of water from the pond into the dam, which helped increase its water storage volume,” it said in a statement today.
SPAN added that, overall, all monitored water treatment plants (WTP) are still operating normally, but the risk of water supply disruptions could arise if dam levels continue to trend downward over time.
Together with the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry and all relevant water supply operators, it held a meeting on Wednesday (August 26) to assess the raw water situation and coordinate preparedness and mitigation measures, particularly for dams at the alert, warning, and critical levels.
The measures being considered include optimising the use of raw water resources, coordinating dam and WTP operations, activating alternative water sources as needed, monitoring water supply demand in high-risk areas, and implementing scheduled water supply if the raw water situation continues to deteriorate.
“In more critical circumstances, restrictions or reductions in water supply to consumers may be considered as a demand management measure, subject to current needs or circumstances and with the minister’s approval in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.
“Such measures will only be considered when other mitigation and resource management measures are no longer sufficient to extend the resilience period of raw water resources,” SPAN said.
It will implement all mitigation measures in a targeted manner based on the conditions and level of risk in each area.
SPAN will also continue to enhance monitoring and risk assessments based on weather conditions, dam-level trends, the availability of raw water resources, and each WTP's operational capacity.
