The upgrading of raw water intake points at Titi Kerawang and Teluk Awak, along with the installation of raw water pipelines to the Teluk Bahang Dam, announced under Budget 2026, will help secure Penang’s raw water supply.
Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman, Zairil Khir Johari, stated that the state government has been implementing the Sungai Pinang Raw Water Contingency Project since 2020 to channel water to the Teluk Bahang Dam. Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) has been utilising an 8.6-kilometre, 450 mm-diameter dual-function pipeline.
Under this project, raw water from Titi Kerawang is sent to the Teluk Bahang Dam during the monsoon season from September to December. At other times, treated water from the Teluk Bahang Pump House is supplied to the Sungai Pinang Water Treatment Plant.
“However, the use of this dual-function system has resulted in inconsistent water supply for consumers along the pipeline route and has also limited the capacity to channel raw water outside the monsoon season,” Zairil told Bernama.
He explained a dedicated pipeline is required to channel raw water from Titi Kerawang to the Teluk Bahang Dam, ensuring a continuous and more efficient supply.
Zairil highlighted that climate change and rising water demand have led to the Teluk Bahang Dam remaining unfilled even during the rainy season, underlining the urgency for the project to proceed without delay.
Regarding the RM2.2 billion allocation for the Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) Project—including works involving Sungai Nyiur in Seberang Perai Utara—Zairil said the project area is within the Sungai Nyiur basin, a sub-basin of Sungai Perai. This covers the Bagan Dalam, Bagan Jermal, and Sungai Puyu state constituencies as well as the Bagan parliamentary constituency.
“This basin often experiences flash floods due to short, heavy downpours, which exceed the capacity of the river and drainage systems. The situation worsens when heavy rainfall coincides with high tide, causing seawater backflow at the Sungai Nyiur estuary near Sungai Perai,” he said.
According to Zairil, the project will improve safety and well-being for local residents by addressing flood-prone areas such as Jalan Thamby Kecil, Jalan Siram, SK Convent Butterworth, Kampung Muniammah (Jalan Siram), and Kampung Sungai Nyiur.
He added that all these projects reflect the MADANI government’s concern for the well-being of Penang residents and its ongoing commitment to ensuring balanced and sustainable state development.
