A total of 79 jumbo tankers and 10 water tankers are supplying water to affected areas.

D. KARTIANI, 70, will be putting chores on hold for the next three days as there has been no water running through her pipes in Section 31, Kota Kemuning, since 10am yesterday.

“Since there was early notice, I managed to store some water. However, I can’t carry out housework such as mopping and doing the laundry.

“But I do not want to eat out because I fear the restaurants will not clean their utensils well due to the water cut. I am also worried the food preparation standards will be compromised,” she said.

Over at SS7 in Kelana Jaya, residents have been experiencing low water pressure since yesterday morning.

Resident Esham Salam said he decided to go to Batu Pahat, Johor, due to the water cut.

“Most of my neighbours have stored water but I am just going to leave town until water supply returns,” he said.

B. Barbara, 59, from Amazing Heights Apartment in Kampung Sungai Udang, Klang, said water supply in her area had been cut as early as 11.45pm on Monday night.

“I was going to fill up more water but my taps were dry. I thought water would only be cut on Tuesday morning at 8am. I hope repair works will be over soon and not prolonged,” she said.

On the contrary, as at 8am yesterday, there was still water supply in USJ 18.

However, resident C.C. Lee said he was not worried about the water cut as he and his wife kept about 70 litres of water to bathe and for cleaning.

“Since it’s just the two of us in the house, I believe we have enough water in our tank to last us two days,” he said.

Over at Jalan 23 in Taman Bukit Kuchai, Puchong, resident Leow Fah said he had stored water since before Chinese New Year.

“We were affected by a sudden water cut before Chinese New Year, so when water supply resumed, we decided to store water just in case supply gets disrupted again,” he said, adding that there were water tankers parked in his area yesterday.

Cheong using minimal amount of water to wash utensils at his eatery.

Business owners buckle up

In Subang Jaya, business owners are worried pipes may burst when water supply resumes due to the pressure.

SS15 Business Community Representative Datuk Samson Mamam said this fear was based on past experiences during water cuts.

He said as of Tuesday morning, most businesses were still utilising their stored water in their tanks. However, the stress would be felt only on the second day of water cut.

“In the past when the water resumed we had incidents of pipe burst. We hope those in charge would ensure this doesn’t happen.

“We also hope they are aware that when water supply resumes, those on higher floors will still face poor water pressure and so, water tanks should serving these areas,” he added.

Samson, who is also Bandar Puteri Puchong resident advisor, said the frenzy to buy water containers was slightly alarming.

“Everyone rushes to buy water containers when they hear of possible water cut. We heard that people even bought containers from junkyards to store water.

“This is of great concern to me as used containers from junkyards may be contaminated and dangerous to health,” he said.

At Bandar Kinrara 5, restaurant owner Janet Chia stored more than 10 barrels of water, each filling up to 10 litres of water, as well as an extra tank of water in anticipation of a supply disruption.

“Bandar Kinrara is the first area listed but it is not specified where exactly will be affected, so it’s best to be ready,” she said.

As of 3.30pm yesterday, there was still water supply at her restaurant.

In Shah Alam, water pressure began to reduce from 6am yesterday and supply was completely cut off by 8am.

CK Goh of Restoran Poh Yap in Kota Kemuning said he and the rest of the traders in the area had stored enough water to cope with the scheduled water disruption.

Goh said some traders even stored water in plastic bags to face the worse.

Some restaurant owners have used plastic bags to store water.

“We were forced to temporarily close the toilets as we ran out of water stored for toilet use by the afternoon,” he said.

Hawker Alex Cheong from the same area said he had to strictly conserve water so that there would be enough to last the expected four days of water cut.

“I use very minimal water to wash utensils and dishes,” he said.

New Taman Sea coffeeshop owner Gan Kam You said he stored water in two huge containers ahead of the scheduled disruption.

Two years ago, he said, he spent more than RM2,000 to buy the containers.

“I bought them during the water crisis in 2016 and water from these containers will last for two days. Hopefully, supply will be restored by then,” he said.

Air Selangor’s One-Stop Service Centres will operate round the clock until tomorrow.

Not a rationing exercise

Based on a press statement from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), the scheduled water disruption which began yesterday, was to make way for emergency and critical repair works at SSP3 Water Treatment Plant and not a rationing exercise.

Based on the high levels of raw water at the dams, sufficient treated water supply upon completion of the Semenyih 2 Water Treatment Plant earlier this month and the positive reduction in non-revenue water, Syabas said there was no reason for water rationing.

The faulty equipment at the plant was detected at the end of January but repair works were deferred to avoid supply interruption during the Chinese New Year and Chap Goh Meh celebrations, it explained.

Since 8am yesterday, Air Selangor set up nine One-Stop Service Centres that will operate round the clock until tomorrow.

There are 79 jumbo tankers carrying 5,000 litres of water each and 10 water tankers with 30,000 litres of water each as well as information counters at these centres.