Some 3.89 million residents in Klang Valley will have to go without normal water supply from today due to ongoing maintenance work by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) at its Bukit Badong substation in Kuala Selangor.

A total of 707,759 accounts in 814 areas in Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Langat, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are affected by the water supply disruption.

National Water Services Commission (SPAN) had earlier stated that TNB maintenance work and shutdown would be carried out for 16 hours from 8am.

This would inevitably affect operations at the Sungai Selangor main water treatment plants which supply water to 60 per cent of consumers in Klang Valley.

The situation is expected to prevail till Dec 24 (Christmas eve).

TNB is aware of the grouses by consumers particularly those celebrating Christmas but said the maintenance work could not be delayed further.

It said the condition of equipment at the substation was at a critical stage where any delay would be detrimental to ensuring uninterrupted power supply.

TNB said the scheduled date for the shutdown was decided collectively at a meeting with SPAN on Oct 31, which was also attended by water sector representatives, among them, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) and Syarikat Pengeluaran Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash).

The shutdown was initially scheduled for Sept 27, it said.

TNB also explained that temporary shutdown of the Bukit Badong substation was for preventive maintenance and installation of arc protection to be done safely and to ensure smooth water supply.

-- BERNAMA