The Water Department will step up efforts to check on the condition of its distribution line in Penampang to ensure that consumers are not unduly inconvenienced by pipe-bursts or its efforts to maintain these installations.
This action follows feedback from two homeowners about the erratic supply in Taman Dai Ming recently, as well as the half-hearted work performed by one of the agency’s contractor who repaired some pipes in Taman Kuala Manggatal Phase 3. Their problems were triggered by unexpected leaks in their respective areas.
Both individuals furnished Hotline with the pertinent details regarding these irregularities, which were forwarded to the agency.
A Department spokesman said its staff went to Taman Dai Ming, shortly before being contacted by the media.
“They found that an Asbestos Cement (AC) pipe near a commercial centre, off Lorong Muntahan 1, had burst,” he said. “We suspect that a third party may have accidentally dug into the structure but, so far, we have been unable to identify the culprit.”
He said the supply to this part of Penampang was temporarily shut off at around 5.30pm that day to accommodate the emergency work involving the damaged pipe.
“A notice was circulated over social media half an hour earlier to forewarn the affected consumers that they may experience supply disruptions. They were advised to use the reserves in their water tank sparingly.”
Besides Taman Dai Ming, the other housing areas which were impacted by the leak included Taman Cendawan, Taman Milek Phase 1 and Taman Dixon.
The spokesman said the agency’s technicians were forced to work late into the night to finish attending to the pipe which had a diameter of about 100millimetres. Their efforts were complicated because the leaking distribution main was buried about 11 to 10 metres beneath the verge, according to him, adding that an excavator was deployed to assist the repair efforts
He said it took almost 6 hours to complete this task, before the supply could be restored.
“The affected consumers regained their tap water in stages, once sufficient pressure had built up in the pipes,” he said.
JONN of Penampang bemoaned the poor strength of the supply which was available in the kitchen and bathrooms in his house on Muntahan 3A.
“The water trickling from the taps often resembles a thin ribbon if not random droplets,” he said.
At the time that he contacted Hotline, Jonn said it was the fifth day which he had encountered these difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Department is arranging to attend to Lorong Kuala Manggatal 19, after learning about the poor condition of the stretch.
PUNG, who lives in the area, said a contractor excavated part of the road to repair an underground pipe there in the second week of the month.
“The individual levelled the earth after completing the work, but, so far, has not resealed the road,” she said on October 29.
The affected section was blocked off, according to her, with some security tape which was strung up from traffic cones placed around the site. She said this flimsy barrier had since come down.
“The earth has also gradually been displaced and a depression has formed here. Water collects in this crater when it rains.”
Pung bemoaned the inconvenience road-users encountered in driving over the uneven section.
“Many cars, four-wheel-drives and lorries use this road and have deepened the depression. One car even got stuck in ‘the hole’ and had to be pulled out.”
The spokesman said an inspection was made of the affected stretch on the same day that the Department learned about what had transpired in this part of Taman Kuala Manggatal Phase 3.
“A preliminary check revealed that the road had been left in a bad state,” he said. “He was told to reinstate the area which was damaged when his workers dug down to the burst pipe.”
The spokesman said the agency would monitor the progress of the road-work to ensure that stretch was properly sealed.
