KUCHING: Opposition DAP has called on the Kuching Water Board (KWB) to quickly put a lid on frequent water problems at a residential area near the airport here.
DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s Special Assistant Michael Kong said recurring incidents of water pipe bursts at Lorong Lapangan Terbang 5F have become a pressing concern for residents there.
The latest occurrence on Monday (Feb 12) makes it the fourth such incident in recent years, he said.
The community was once again faced with another pipe burst, he said, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address this issue.
“KWB’s technicians have attributed these frequent leakages to the aging asbestos piping infrastructure in the area.
“While short-term measures, such as the immediate installation of a 15.8 feet long water pipe to replace the leaking segment, have been implemented to restore water supply by this afternoon, these stop-gap solutions are insufficient in addressing the root cause of the problem,” he said.
Kong stressed that to safeguard the long-term integrity of the water supply infrastructure and mitigate the risk of future pipe bursts, it is imperative that KWB undertake decisive action to completely replace the outdated pipeline serving Lorong Lapangan Terbang 5.
Moreover, he added that given the rapid growth of residential developments within the vicinity, it is essential to upgrade the size of the existing six-inch water pipe to one of 10-inch diameter.
“This will not only ensure adequate water supply to meet the needs of the growing community but also minimise the likelihood of disruptive interruptions in the future.
“DAP will continue to work closely with KWB to ensure the needs and interests of residents are prioritised and addressed,” he said.
