Chow said that once completed in the next two years, the plant can treat 114 million litres per day (mld).

He said the state government had taken note of the water woes in Seberang Perai and had announced eight contingency plans, including the water treatment plant.

“Practically the whole of Seberang Perai Selatan will get enough water. However, these (water contingency) projects need time to be completed. You will see an improvement over the next few years,” he told reporters after attending a Ponggal celebration organised by the Sri Muniswarar temple here today.

He was commenting on the claim by Forum Seberang Perai pro tem coordinator B Saravanan that the newly announced water tariff hike in the state is unjustifiable given the poor level of water service in Seberang Perai Selatan.

Saravanan was referring to the erratic water supply in towns like Sungai Bakap and Jawi, as well as the larger Mukim 5 area. He said periodic cuts in those areas have been an issue since 2018.

State infrastructure and transport executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari had previously said the problem was largely related to low water pressure, but that it had been sorted out thanks to major upgrades in the district.

He said the completion of the Bukit Panchor water treatment plant last year had saved many parts of Seberang Perai Selatan from cuts, and that the long-term solution was a water treatment plant at Sungai Kerian, which required further funding.