Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s ageing pipelines, non-revenue water, and the integration of artificial intelligence for leak detection were among the key issues raised during a courtesy call by a joint delegation from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Sabah Plumber Association (SPA) on Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
The delegation, led by UMS academic Prof Dr Jidon Janaun and SPA president Carmen Wong, stressed that tackling the state’s water supply challenges requires equal focus on distribution network conditions, pressure management, and long-term maintenance alongside water production capacity.
Wong shared findings from SPA’s technical study visit to China on smart pipeline management, noting that data-driven monitoring tools, appropriate sensor placement, and technical expertise are vital for practical infrastructure solutions.
The meeting also touched on an integrated approach covering water security, wastewater management, and flood drainage to support public health and urban resilience across Sabah.
Additionally, the delegation briefed Joachim, who is also Works and Utilities Minister, on preparations for the jointly organised World Plumbing Day Sabah 2027 scheduled for April 8-11, 2027, with the Minister advising them to submit formal requests for multi-agency government collaboration.
