Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said this after a second round of repairs to plug the leak gave way yet again at 10am.

The pipe, which lies on the riverbed, first sprang a leak on Wednesday after its mains were switched off to give way to major repairs.

PBAPP’s CEO, K Pathmanathan, said the corporation’s proposed solution to install an S-bend pipe as a permanent fixture could take up to eight months as it requires approval from Putrajaya and the irrigation and drainage department (DID).

Today is the third day of a scheduled four-day water supply disruption meant to carry out repairs to two faulty valves and 22 other minor works across the state.

“The pipe can no longer be repaired, so we will temporarily divert the water through a 900mm diameter pipe to be laid by the banks of the river and across a road bridge,” said Chow.

He also advised users in the southwest district of the island, which spans Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau and Bayan Lepas, to continue storing water.

Yesterday, deputy energy transition and public utilities minister Akmal Nasir said PBAPP’s proposal to install an S-bend pipe above the river will have to undergo the usual approval process at the federal level.

Asked whether the process can be expedited to address Penang’s water problems, he said the matter must be discussed with the DID, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and the economy ministry.