CONSUMERS in the Klang Valley, including business operators are storing water in large plastic pails to cope with the scheduled water cut from tomorrow to Friday in several areas due to emergency repair work at the Sungai Selangor Phase 3 (SSP3) Water Treatment Plant.

This is in response to a statement by Syabas on Friday that the plant shutdown will affect areas in Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat and Hulu Selangor.

Chow Hung Khin, who operates a shop selling household items at Jalan Gopeng in Klang, said plastic water containers, especially the 23-litre capacity pails was in great demand since Saturday.

“The water containers are priced between RM15 and RM87 each depending on the size.

Mohamad Hussin Mydin from Taman Sentosa Klang storing water from the tap into container in view of the water.

“We also have plastic water drums with a capacity between 165 and 200 litres,” he said, adding that there was not price hike for the water containers sold at his outlet.

Alvin Lim of Today’s Hair Salon from Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang, said water was a necessity in his business as it was the norm for customers to be offered a hair wash following hair cuts.

He said, it would be tough for his business if there was no tap water.

“The water from the tank of our shop will only last, at most, two days.

“I will store up water in about 15 plastic containers which I bought last year after we faced water disruption twice,” he said. Restoran Sri Bharathamatha Villas operator D. Sivapathasekaran said adjustments would have to be made at the restaurant to cope with the water disruption.

Besides storing water in containers and drums, Sivapathasekaran said, disposable cups and plates would be used to serve drinks and food to customers at the restaurant in Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang.

Chow Hung Khin busy attending to a customer who purchased two plastic containers from his shop in Jalan Gopeng, Klang.

“We have no option but to only open one of the four washrooms throughout the period of the water disruption.

“We will mop the floor instead of washing it for that few days to save water,” he said, adding that notice would be put up at the premise to inform customers the constraints caused by the water disruption.

Mohamad Hussin Mydin, 51, from Taman Sentosa, Klang said his family cope with the water disruption by being prudent in the consumption of water.

He said his wife and their two children were aware that it was important to use water wisely at all times and not only during a water cut.

“We will store water in additional containers to ensure we have sufficient water to use in case the tank runs dry,” he said

Another resident Salmah Abu Bakar, 45, from Section 15 in Shah Alam, said she had stored water in four containers and hoped her family of five would be able to cope with the situation.

In SS 15 Subang Jaya, hawkers and traders had started storing water in huge buckets to cope with the water disruption.

Stall owner Chan Chew Tai, 63, transferring water into a pail to prepare for the water disruption.

Some are considering to close during days of the water disruption.

Yee Fatt Restaurant operator Wendy Wong said she came to know about the water disruption on Friday and had started filling up the buckets with water on Sunday.

“Every time when there is a water disruption, it affects our business.

“We have to take the day off or store enough water but how are we to estimate the amount of water that need to be stored,” Wong said.

Foh Foh Restaurant manager May Lai said they will only start storing water today

SS15 wet market noodles stall worker Lee Fong, 72, preparing for the water cut.

“We also need to consider hygiene as storing the water too early will not be good as it could get contaminated.

“As the water disruption here will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, the kopitiam will operate using the stored water on the first day.

“If water supply is not restored on the second day, we may close shop,” she said, adding that the SS15 commercial area experienced water supply disruption once a month.

At the SS15 wet market, most hawkers are unaware about the water disruption.

Noodles seller Chow Chew Tai, 63, said she was not troubled by the disruption.

“I always have several buckets of water on standby which I use during emergencies.

“The water is replaced often to ensure that it is clean,” added Chow.

SS7 resident KH Tang said he would store a few buckets of water as his water tank should be able to cover for two days without water.

Alvin Lim of Today’s Hair Salon from Bandar Bukit Klang said hair wash will be done manually with the use of a bath tub instead of shower due to the water disruption.

“Since the disruption is just for two days, I guess the few buckets of water are sufficient,” he said.

S. Ravindran, 57, said the timely announcement ensured they could purchase enough drinking water from the shops and carry them up to their four-storey apartments.

“It can be tiring to rush and purchase water to be carried up the many flights of stairs, so I am glad we have time to do it gradually,” he added.

Living in an apartment also means constrained space for him and his family to store the water buckets, so now they could quickly rearrange their homes to make way for the additional storage.

“We may have to look at making other arrangements as well and can still contact family members for assistance should we need it,” he added.

Section 12 Shah Alam’s Bukit Kayangan Residents Association president Datuk Helmi Daud said he and his residents were glad to have the information about the water cut a few days earlier.

“At least, we have time to plan and resort to alternative storage.” he said.

Syabas had earlier announced that parts of Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Langat and Hulu Selangor will be affected by the water disruption.

The Petaling region is expected to see water supply disruption from 8am Tuesday to 9pm the next day, while Klang and Shah Alam will be affected from 8am Tuesday to 9am Friday; Gombak till midnight on Thursday; Kuala Lumpur till 9pm on Thursday; Kuala Langat till 3pm Wednesday; and Hulu Selangor till 9pm on Wednesday.

The Petaling region is expected to see water supply disruption from 8am on Tuesday to 9pm the next day.

Klang and Shah Alam will be affected from 8am Tuesday to 9am Friday; Gombak till midnight on Thursday; Kuala Lumpur till 9pm on Thursday; Kuala Langat till 3pm Wednesday; and Hulu Selangor till 9pm on Wednesday.