Tawau pipes have no water
Published on: Thursday, April 25, 2024
By: Wu Vui Tek
Hamild added that several government agencies, including the State Water Department (JANS) Tawau branch, were present.
Kota Kinabalu: SOME areas in Tawau experience a situation where “pipes are available, but no water” and water cuts sometimes extend to four to six days, said Balung Assemblyman Hamild Awang.
This issue was highlighted during a dialogue session between the Tawau Municipal Council and residents of Kampung Kongsi 10 and 8, as well as surrounding areas, he said.
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He added that several government agencies, including the State Water Department (JANS) Tawau branch, were present.
The continuous water cuts and the issue of pipes being available but no water were also experienced in Kampung Jawa Kongsi 10, Kampung Serudung Baru Batu 18, and surrounding villages, he added.
“The State Government should increase the capacity of the Balung water treatment plant from the current 18 million to 50 million litres per day.
“I also want to enquire about the proposed project for the Apas/Balung water treatment plant with a capacity of 20 million litres per day,” said Hamild during his debate on the Sabah Government’s policy speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
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JANS has to implement rotational water cuts along Jalan Apas involving villages and housing estates in the Balung and Apas constituencies, he said.
Despite the presence of storage tanks at Batu 11, Jalan Apas and Jalan Mariano with capacities of two and five million litres respectively, residents still face difficulties in accessing consistent clean water, he said.
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In this regard, he urged JANS to be proactive in reducing ongoing non-revenue water (NRW) issues, which currently stands at 53.9 per cent.
Additionally, he suggested building and implementing better rainwater collection and storage systems.
“We require close cooperation between the Government, private sector and civil society to actively engage in efforts to ensure sustainable water supply.
“Initiatives such as community education programmes on responsible water usage and water conservation campaigns need to be intensified,” he urged.
He asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry about the current status of the flood prevention project in Sungai Kinabutan Kecil, Tawau, due to recurring floods caused by heavy rain.
Hamild proposed to the State Government to establish a new township in Apas Balung.
He also asked the Minister of Works about the proposed upgrading of the Bailey bridge at Sungai Kinabutan Km 9.8, Jalan Sin Onn Tiku and the Serudung Baru bridge at Km 0.6, Jalan Maria Tawau.
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