PBAPP to partner with IWK to study recycling wastewater

GEORGETOWN - Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) will partner with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) to study recycling wastewater for industrial use in Penang.

PBAPP and PBA Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Ir. K.Pathmanathan said the cooperation is part of plans to ensure water supply security in Penang by 2030, adding that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IWK yesterday on the matter.

"We have discussed the possibility of recycling wastewater for industrial use with IWK in April last year and since then, we have identifired three wastewater treatment plants in Bayan Baru and George Town on the island and Mak Mandin on the mainland for in-depth study,” he said in a statemeent today.

The potential treated water from all three plants could equal 2.3 times the conventional treated water in Sungai Dua.

He said the biggest challenge Penang currently faces is the lack of raw water supply as the state had limited land, with only 1,049 square kilometres.

"If we can recycle 260 million litres a day of treated wastewater for industrial use, means we boost our capacity of water supply by that same amount,” he said.

"In addition, we are also looking into the installation of seperate specific pipes and pumps to channel this recycled water to industrial consumers and the overall cost of recycling wastewater and its supply,” he added. - BERNAMA