The divers, sent to carry out the reclamping works early this morning, could not do so due to fast-flowing water conditions which made it difficult for them to place the lower section of the heavy clamp in place for fastening.
“PBAPP personnel are exploring all rational options to save Plan A. We will continue to post updates,” the state water company said in a statement.
On Monday, PBAPP said 200,000 water consumers in the state might face supply disruptions due to the burst pipe, the fourth incident since last month.
The pipelines were buried 3.5m deep and laid in 1997 by the Penang Water Authority before PBAPP took over.
Following the latest incident, chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said he was mulling two options to restore water supply to half of Penang island: a “quick fix” that would restore water supply within 24 to 48 hours, and an expedited completion of the pipe diversion project.
Motorists on the Ampang Jajar bridge saw water gushing from the leaking Sungai Perai riverbed pipe on Tuesday.
Chow said the leak this time measured 1.05m by 0.65m.