Kota Kinabalu: Federal Territory of Labuan should initiate coastal reservoirs for sustainable water supply, according to former Sabah Water Department Director Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr Amarjit Singh.
“Building a reservoir in the water close to a river mouth is a tried-and-true technique for gathering rainwater. It may be the greatest way to provide Labuan as a whole with a sustainable water supply.
“It is an innovative concept of storing flood water from a river system before it enters the sea. A coastal reservoir is the best place to collect rainwater because unlike a traditional dam that depends on precipitation, all rainwater ends up in the sea.
“It is a paradigm shift in water resource development where water is stored downstream, preferably near the river-sea confluence, rather than in inland reservoirs,” he said in a statement.
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Furthermore, the implementation of a coastal reservoir can double as flood control infrastructure, floating solar farms and tourism activities.
He said the technology is not new and had been tried in China, South Korea, Hong Kong, among others.
“It is less expensive to construct and operate than a dam for the same quantity of water storage, not requiring the flooding of a large area of land or the moving of people, and having negligible or negative impacts on the environment.’
In addition, he said a self-independent water treatment plant should be built in Labuan rather than depending from the mainland.
He echoed the statement by Labuan Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chairman Simsudin Sidek that the water supply service in Labuan requires immediate attention before any tariff adjustment.
“The recent announcement by Water Commission (SPAN) on the increase of water tariff has received mixed reaction by the people especially in Labuan.
“With the water supply inconsistency, Labuan dwellers will be burdened with the extra payment required.
“Even with the higher tariff implemented, will Labuan be able to obtain good services and regular water supply as it depends on mainland Sabah,” he said.
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