Kota Kinabalu: More than half (54 per cent) of Sabah’s clean water supply is lost to illegal tapping and leaking pipes.
According to State Public Works Minister Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, 38 per cent of the non-revenue water (NRW) leaks were in Kota Kinabalu.
“The Sabah Water Department (SWD) is carrying out risk management with hopes of minimising the losses within six months.
“We are aiming to shave at least 10 million litres per day (MLD) off wastage, bringing the NRW in Kota Kinabalu down to below 25 per cent,” he said after visiting Putatan areas Monday that were affected by water disruptions for up to a week.
Shahelmey, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, ended the visit with a briefing by concessionaire Jetama, a subsidiary of Sabah Development Berhad, which operates the Moyog Water Treatment Plant in Penampang.
“Recent maintenance work on the Moyog plant seriously impacted areas in Putatan and south Kota Kinabalu, and supply was restored in stages.
“However, some folks may still experience low water pressure. The SWD is still carrying out scheduled rationing to ensure everyone gets water,” he said.
Shahelmey said although the Moyog and Kasigui plants can generate up to a combined 235mld for the affected areas, both are still running in deficit as the demand is 250mld.
“The SWD has suggested an urgent water supply scheme capable of pumping out additional 5mld of treated water. The same approach is being implemented at the Telibong Plant in Tamparuli to address water woes in Tuaran.
“This will take up to 18 months for procurement and construction. I will be raising the matter to Cabinet for approval,” he said.
Shahelmey said short-term solutions are balancing water pressures at existing water tanks and “firefighting”, which is water rationing with mobile tankers.
But ultimately, the answer to Sabah’s water shortage is the construction of a hotly disputed dam proposed in Papar.
With pressing urgency by the needs of the many, the question remains as to who will act as implementer of the mega billion project?
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a local or international company. There is no preference as long as it is capable of doing it, so we don’t end up with a sick project (abandoned). We need to deliver on time.
“The dam is in the final stages of a feasibility study and expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2023. This is vital because we cannot propose anything without justification,” he said.
In a previous interview, Pakatan Harapan’s Sepanggar MP Mustapha Sakmud told Daily Express of the same needs for Sabah.
Meanwhile, the prepaid water system in Pulau Gaya is ready for implementation but put on hold as even the State Capital cannot meet its own water needs.
“If we run the taps, the situation in the city will worsen. Pulau Gaya needs 5mld. When Phase 2 of the Telibong Water Treatment Plant is completed maybe we can consider,” he said.
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