“Water shedding” schedule only a guideline

With the continuing drought and ever decreasing water supply, Sembcorp Siza Water has begun implementing water interruptions across their service area.

While it caught everyone off guard on the first day, residents were even more confused when Sembcorp Siza Water released a water interruption schedule and then did not seem to stick with the times indicated. In fact, it appears the water was never shut off over the weekend while everyone stocked up on buckets and bottled water.

Sembcorp Siza Water’s managing director Shyam Misra said a new schedule will be developed each Monday and is effective from the following day.

“The schedule provides approximate times for the interruptions and unlike electricity, it is rather more complex to shutoff a water network,” said Misra.

“Care is taken in shutting down and reinstating the supply so as to minimise burst pipes and other problems, hence the times we provide are approximates.”

Misra said the scheduled interruptions are based on the meter readings of each zone.

“We do these readings three times per week and hence a zone that was shutdown on Monday may be eliminated on Wednesday and return again on Friday owing to the respective decrease or increase in the consumption pattern,” said Misra.

He said the more the zones save, the less shutdowns they will experience.

“So far we are satisfied with the results of the shutdowns as we currently have not run out of water while other service providers have, resulting in major supply issues in their areas. Our aim is to provide water during the morning peak and again the evening peak so as to still ensure consumers have water to shower and cook.”