PAPAR: The Sabah Water Department (JANS) will build 10 additional 10,000-gallon high-density polyethylene (HDPE) suction tanks at Puncak Gloxinia Condominium in Kinarut to increase water storage capacity and reduce the impact of recurring supply disruptions affecting more than 1,200 residents.
Papar Member of Parliament Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the project forms part of the Government’s immediate measures to strengthen the area’s water supply system while two long-term upgrading projects are being completed.
The projects are the Kg Kabang Water Intake Upgrading Project and the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Upgrading Project, which are scheduled to begin operations in September and November this year respectively.
“In addition to these two major projects, the construction of 10 additional suction tanks at Puncak Gloxinia Condominium is planned to address the recurring water supply disruptions affecting residents in the area,” he said.
Armizan was speaking during a site visit to the condominium on Monday following the Papar District Water Supply Stabilisation briefing presented to the Chief Minister on July 28.
He said the condominium, first occupied at the end of 2018, comprises six residential blocks with a total of 1,296 units and is among the areas most severely affected whenever disruptions occur at the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant.
Located at the end of the distribution line supplied by the main P3 reservoir, the development receives water later than other areas.
The challenge is compounded by the height of its 18-storey residential blocks.
Although the condominium has 24 rooftop storage tanks, Armizan said their capacity remains insufficient during prolonged water supply interruptions.
To improve supply resilience, JANS will also install a 600-metre connecting pipeline alongside the construction of the additional suction tanks.
“The increased storage capacity will enable water to be supplied to residents for a longer period during temporary disruptions, reducing the inconvenience they have faced for many years,” he said.
