PENANG today expressed confidence that the Sg Perak raw water scheme (SPRWS) will be implemented to allow the state to draw water from its southern neighbour.

“The question is how and when (to implement the project,” Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.

Chow, who chairs the Penang Water Supply Corporation, said the project will benefit both states, including domestic and industrial consumers in northern Perak, which had to implement water rationing at times.

“We want to convince the Perak people that the SPRWS will not badly affect their agriculture activities in northern Perak.

“The water treatment plant to be built in the project will also supply water to them and the industries in the region. 

“It can a win-win for both states,” he said this today after opening of the water security conference jointly organised by Penang Institute and the Asian Development Bank.

Under the SPRWS, a tunnel will be built to divert water from Sg Perak to Sg Kerian, where raw water will be extracted and treated before being channelled to consumers.

The project is crucial for Penang’s future water security. Presently, the state relies on Sg Muda in Kedah for 80% of its raw water supply.

But Sg Muda, where the Ulu Muda water catchment area is facing the threat of illegal logging for years, may not be sufficient for Penang’s growing water demands.

Chow said the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry had responded positively to the SPRWS, adding that talks on the project have started among the federal government, Penang and Perak.

“There are also suggestions from the private sector on how the project can be financed. We hope we can speed things up and finish the first phase in 2025,” he said.

On previous talks that Perak was keener to sell treated water to Penang, Chow said it would cost more than drawing raw water from Sg Perak.

“We are negotiating for a solution that can bridge the wishes of two states.” – April 25, 2019.