Water rationing in the Klang Valley has been put off temporarily following reprieve brought by the recent heavy downpour to the drought-hit areas.

Selangor state councillor Mohd Sharif Jajang however cautioned that the water level in dams has yet to get back to normal despite the heavy rains.

We are not saying that the water shortage problem is completely solved, he told a press conference at the Selangor waterworks department in Kuala Lumpur.

He added that the department would continue to monitor the situation.

Sharif, who is also the permanent chairperson of the State Infrastructure, Information and Malay Reserve Land Department, also said the heavy downpour yesterday did not change water levels at several dams significantly.

Water level comparison of yesterday and today indicated differences but [they were] not very significant, he said.

Sharif revealed that the water levels dropped at several dams despite the rainfall. The largest drop was seen at the Sungai Semenyih dam, followed by the Sungai Batu dam, Klang Gates dam, Sungai Langat dam and the Sungai Tinggi dams.

To date, only the Sungai Tinggi dam is cause for immediate concern because its water level had fallen below the critical level. The dam supplies water to densely populated areas in Petaling Jaya, Klang, Kuala Lumpur and some parts of Ulu Langat.

Alternative water source

The weather department had forecasted that we are now in an inter-monsoon phase. Heavy rains are expected at upstream areas and less at downstream areas. What we have seen so far is the opposite, said Sharif, adding that this is expected to change soon.

Should there be insufficient rainfall in the dam and water catchment areas, the state government may be forced to proceed with rationing water. The first stage of rationing will affect areas which obtain their supply from Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat water treatment plants because of extremely low water levels, he added.

The state councillor also said that the department, which was corporatised earlier this month and now known as Selangor Water Management Body (PUAS), is currently laying out a comprehensive plan for smooth implementation of water rationing when necessary. Important areas such as free trade zones, hospitals and army camps may be exempted from rationing.

Sharif added that water supply disruptions were lessening in some areas in Kuala Lumpur especially in Cheras, while the problem was worsening in other areas like Ulu Langat.

PUAS has been providing alternative water sources to affected residents via its mobile water tankers, contracted water tankers, static tanks, and water hoses known as elephant trunks, said the councillor.

Other actions taken include the suspension of water supply to certain areas between 8pm to 5am so that water can be distributed more equally, said Sharif.

The Ulu Langat and Petaling areas will have normal flow by the end of this week. We hope that by tomorrow, we can restore water supply to other affected areas, he added.

However, the councillor urged consumers to save water by cutting consumption by at least 50 litres per day per household and avoid water pollution so as not to reduce potable water supply further.

Corporatisation announcement

According to Sharif, the Minerals Department has also given approval for 41 wells to be used as underground water sources.

When asked about complaints of poor water quality from mobile tankers, Sharif said he and health inspectors would be checking on filling pumps next week.

Sometimes, it is difficult as we want to be quick in providing sufficient water. There may be some carelessness, he explained.

On the corporatisation of the waterworks department, Sharif said that although the name change has been effective since Mar 15, the official announcement will only be made at a later date.

Among the administrative changes, director of the JBAS Che Mohamad Che Jusoh will now be referred to as the new chief executive officer of PUAS, while all district chiefs of the waterworks will be referred to as managers.