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THE Water Department is keeping tabs on the supply to a Tuaran commercial property and is attending to a road, near the “Tamu” (Weekly Market) in Weston, which was dug up to repair a leaking pipe in this part of the town.

This action was prompted by feedback about the water woes at the former area, as well as the poor driving experience at the latter.

The operator of a restaurant not far from the U Plus budget store, off Jalan Marabahai Spur, bemoaned the dry taps at his premises.  

He said he had been forced to suspend operations at the eatery on several occasions because of the supply problems. 

A Beaufort hawker, meanwhile, spoke out about a depression in the road leading to the Market grounds. 

He said the uneven section, which covered an area of about three square feet, made it difficult for him to access his stall.

Both individuals provided Hotline with the pertinent details, regarding their grievances, which were forwarded to the agency.

A department spokesman said it had observed that water pressure was low at some of the affected premises off Jalan Marabahai Spur, while not a drop was available at others.

“On top of being situated towards the end of distribution-line, many of these establishments have been built on higher ground,” he said.

The U Plus commercial area is located about 3.2 kilometres away from Tuaran town.

“We were made to understand that the restaurateur did not receive a drop of water for more than a month recently. But, this is just not true,” the spokesman said. 

He said the supply to those in this part of Jalan Marabahai Spur had been intermittent for the past few months, with consumers losing their supply for a few hours “during peak hours”.

“We are in the midst of strategising how to improve the water situation here. 

“Once the plan has been finalised it will be submitted to our headquarters where our upper management will have to deliberate on the feasibility of implementing this action.”

In the meantime, he said, tankers would be sent to the U Plus commercial area during “critical periods.”

“We have also reminded our staff not to be lax about checking on the mains leading to the property to ensure that our consumers here receive some water.” 

In the case of the market grounds in Weston, the Department has had a layer of cement over the uneven section of the affected stretch.

Another spokesman for the agency hoped this would offer motorists some relief, while it sourced for some premix to patch up the damage.

He said this was the second time that the agency’s technicians had attended the road.

“It was excavated some time back so that repairs could be made to a damaged pipe underneath,” he said.

The stretch could not be sealed immediately after the burst had been dealt with, according to him.

“The contractor had to allow the earth to become compact again before sealing the stretch.

“If bitumen was applied right after the pipe was repaired, then there would be a high possibility of a depressing forming on the stretch.”

The spokesman said the contractor sealed the affected section “a few months ago” after confirming that water was no longer welling up on the surface of the road. 

“Our staff have noticed that run-off tends to pool at the sealed section when it rains and suspect that this more of a drainage issue which the relevant authority needs to address.”