Penang: The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is set to prioritize the 'No Scheduled Water Supply Interruption (SWSI)' method for future main pipeline projects, aiming to minimize disruption to consumers. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow revealed this during a site inspection of the final connection work for the second Sungai Perai crossing pipeline, which was completed ahead of schedule.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chow emphasized that this method would be particularly prioritized for projects impacting 20,000 or more account holders. He noted that the adoption of new technologies, such as line stopping and hot-tapping, allows PBAPP to avoid initiating scheduled water supply disruptions, which previously affected approximately 26,000 consumers in Seberang Perai Utara and Seberang Perai Tengah.

Chow cited the Sungai Perai underwater pipe leakage in December 2024 as an example of an emergency situation necessitating prompt action. Despite efforts to patch the leak with divers, the strong water pressure required a decision to implement a bypass to replace the leaking section and resume water supply.

The pipe replacement work, which started in January 2025, involved four locations of the Sungai Perai underpass that had been in use since the 1970s. These locations include Ampang Jajar, Kampung Telok, Pengkalan Tambang, and Kampung Bagan Serai. While the initial phase of work completed on April 20, 2025, resulted in temporary water disruptions, the new method allowed for subsequent connections without stopping the water supply.

PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan stated that the total cost for the four pipelines across Sungai Perak amounted to RM18.6 million.