He said the work will disrupt water supply to 120,000 users in parts of the northeast and southwest districts, Bernama reported.

However, Chow said water would be restored gradually within 48 hours.

“We hope that the work is completed within 16 hours but it is important that the pipe functions because it involves the diversion from the original 1,350mm pipe to two smaller pipes,” he told reporters at the Linear Garden upgrade in Padang Kota here today.

Chow, who is also the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chairman, said everyone in the southwest district affected by last week’s water cuts caused by the burst pipe had their water restored by this morning.

Yesterday, PBAPP said in a statement the diversion and connection work of the 600mm pipe had been postponed until 11.30pm tomorrow, after considering the request of consumers who wanted a longer pause period before implementing the plan.

The pipe, which supplies treated water from Butterworth to at least half the island, first ruptured on Dec 18, again on Jan 10, Jan 11 and for the fourth time last week.

Following that, the Penang government installed a temporary replacement pipe across the river to function for at least eight months, while work on a permanent replacement is completed.