Local government councils will step in to help residents who are affected by major water disruption starting tomorrow if Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) fails to provide back-up water supply.

NONEThe decision was made due to Syabas’s inability to provide back up water supply on many previous occasions, said Teng Chang Khim (left), the state local government, study and research committee chairperson.

“The local authorities are willing to help and get ready with tankers and what they have, but bear in mind that this is not our main duty,” he said, reminding that Syabas has the responsibility to provide back-up water supply to the affected areas.

He said the local governments had agreed to help if Syabas was not able to provide back-up water to the people.

“I met the mayors and local council presidents at the standing committee meeting and was briefed on water disruption... All the local councils affected have agreed to help Syabas if it fails to send water to affected areas.

“The affected local councils include the Shah Alam City Council, Petaling Jaya City Council, Klang Municipal Council and Subang Jaya Municipal Council.

“They can only help, as it is the duty of Syabas to reduce the inconvenience to the minimum,” he said.

About one million residents in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are expected to face water disruption in stages from tomorrow to Sunday due to a temporary partial shutdown of the Sungai Selangor Phase 2 water treatment plant.

The disruption would begin at 8am and supply was expected to resume at 9pm the same day, and this would go on in stages until Sunday. The stoppage was to make way for the upgrading, repair and changing of a switchboard and steel pipes.

Syabas has advised residents in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to store enough water for consumption between tomorrow and Sunday. 

Teng urged Syabas to be well-prepared in supplying clean water to the affected areas, whether by sending mobile tankers or through static tankers.