Water cuts can be a pain, we know. To make your life slightly easier, we’ve put together six tips to help you cope with water supple disruption.

This article was updated on 7 July 2020.
As you may have heard, several areas in Klang Valley is expected to experience water disruption from July 14 to 17, affecting approximately 425,000 households. According to reports, the supply is expected to be resumed fully by 5 pm on July 17.
The disruption is due to upgrading works at Sungai Selangor Phase 3 Water Treatment Plant (SSP3 WTP) and will involve in 290 areas across five regions: Petaling Jaya, Klang, Gombak, Kuala Langat and Kuala Lumpur.
Full list of affected areas can be found here.
As someone who used to live in USJ, an area constantly affected by water rationing exercise during the dry seasons, I understand the distress of those affected. There was a point where the water disruption was happening so frequently that I contemplated digging a well behind our apartment. Luckily my survival instincts kicked in during these critical times. Throughout the years, I’ve devised creative ways to survive the water shortage and avoided leaving a trail of pungent odour wherever I went. Short of filling up every pail, container, bathtub, pot and water bottles you have at home, here are some hacks that will help make the ordeal a little more bearable.
1. Stock up on wet wipes

You’d be surprised how much of water this small moistened piece of paper can save you. You can use them for every conceivable cleaning and hygiene-related occasion: make-up traces removal, cleaning your hands after a meal, deodorising your under-arms, and surprise, surprise, cleaning your delicate areas. They are also handy for cleaning the surface of your table and utensils after a meal.
Read more: How to deep clean your home in 6 simple steps
2. Keep hand sanitisers handy

As we all know, the lack of water, inadequate sanitation and water contamination are the perfect ingredients to concocting some of the most life-threatening waterborne diseases. Therefore, it is highly crucial to keep your hygiene up during these few days. Hand sanitisers that contain 60% to 95% alcohol are effective in decreasing infectious agents on the hands when water and soap are not readily available. If you are a certified klutz and you find yourself staining your clothes that can otherwise still be perfectly good for one more wear, you’d be surprised at how excellently hand sanitizer works at removing stains without having to use your stored water.
3. Use disposable everything

From paper plates to plastic utensils, you’d want to stock up on things that you can just toss away without the need for washing. Keep hotel disposable toothbrushes handy too, when you’re done polishing your choppers you can rinse with mouthwash instead of water for that minty fresh boost.
4. Invest in a rainwater harvesting system (RWH)

Being Malaysian, we baulked at the idea of installing an RWH system due to the perception that it would cost us an arm, and maybe a leg too. The fact is, RWH installation can cost anywhere from RM 2,000 to RM 10,000 depending on factors such as the tank size, the installation location and the usage of pump and filter for the system. When it comes down to it, it’s a small price to pay in a long run for uninterrupted water supply especially during times like these, particularly for high-rise developments.
5. Start embracing technology
With the availability of food delivery Apps such as Grab Food and Food Panda, long gone are the days where water disruption means you have to rely on canned foods and dry bread to keep alive. Choose from hundreds of restaurants outside of the affected area, and tap to add it to your cart. Before you know it, that ‘tapau-ed’ ‘char koay teow’ would be waiting at your front door.
Read more: 16 online grocery stores with delivery services
6. Maximise the usage of your gym membership

If you’re a passport membership holder of a fitness club, this is the time to get your money’s worth. You may have to drive a little further outside of the affected areas, but once you’ve scrubbed down and are all squeaky clean from your shower it will all be worth it. P.S: You should bring along an empty bottle or two to take home with you.