PBAPP CEO K Pathmanathan said the state consumed 927 million litres of water per day (MLD) in February, higher than the 877 MLD average last year.

It said water consumption during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period from April 7 to 14 may exceed 927 MLD.

“As such, we are deploying a fleet of 13 water tankers as a preventive and mitigation measure, together with 47 static water tanks with a maximum capacity of 2,000 litres during this festive period,” Pathmanathan said in a statement.

He said the tankers included three jumbo tankers with a maximum capacity of 40,000 litres each to serve high ground and end-of-line neighbourhoods in the southwest district as well as Seberang Perai Selatan.

PBAPP will supply additional tankers or extend the deployment over a longer period if water demand increases.

Noting that Penang’s current hot and dry weather is depleting dam storage reserves, he advised consumers to use water wisely during the celebrations.

PBAPP urged water consumers in Penang to reduce water consumption by 10% this month and the following two months.

Pathmanathan said although water supply in Penang was “under control”, PBAPP would continue to operate on “high alert” until rainfall increases the effective capacities of the key dams that supply water in Penang.