PUTATAN – The construction of two dams is the main criteria for resolving the water woes in Kota Kinabalu, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
He said a feasibility study has been underway for the construction of the Papar Ddm and the Ulu Tomani dam in Tenom as part of a long-term solution to the water woes in the city.
He added that the main reason for the incessant water shortage was due to demands that have exceeded the water supply at present.
“We don’t have a time frame to resolve the water shortage until the dam projects are done. This is the main criteria,” said Shahelmey who is also the state works minister here today.
“At this point, rationing will be done so all consumers will get water. Consumers facing water disruptions could also call the department’s careline to get water sent to their area. But we are also facing a shortage of lorries to transport the water at present.
“So my advice for them is to stock up water when the water is available,” he told reporters during a function in Lok Kawi.
He said the completion of the Kogopon water treatment plant II and Telibong Water treatment plant II in Tamparuli would provide some relief to the current water shortage in the south and north of Kota Kinabalu.
South of Kota Kinabalu covers Putatan and Papar while the north covers Sepanggar and Tuaran.
However, he said the tender process for the Kogopon treatment plant had just ended and was in the process of appointing a contractor.
Shahelmey said the completion of the Telibong treatment plant is further delayed until June this year.
He said both projects were supposed to be completed last year.
“What is even more disappointing to me as the works minister is that the installation of pipes at the Telibong water treatment plant II has not been done. I have instructed the Sabah Water Department to expedite the installation,” he said.
Shahelmey also said a joint committee involving the Water Department, Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Land and Survey and the police should be established to minimise water theft in the city.
He said water theft was also among reasons for the water shortage and the lack of water pressure in the city, adding that the problem continues to persist despite the disconnection exercise.
“We have carried out a coordinated disconnection exercise but after our enforcement team disconnected the illegal pipes, they were connected back again,” he said.
Shahelmey said the Water Department is also in the midst of installing sensors into the water pipe channels so they would be able to tackle the high non-revenue water issue. – The Vibes, April 1, 2023
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