KUCHING: Since last Thursday, thousands of people in several villages near here have dry taps.
The situation has angered them, with some accusing water authorities Kuching Water Board (KWB) and Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) of not being serious in restoring the water supply.
They are still complaining of acute water shortage although KWB and JBALB have been sending water by tankers.
The New Sarawak Tribune went to check on the situation at villages along Jalan Borneo Heights and discovered that all had no water supply.
Villagers met said they only received their supply from KWB and JBALB tankers.
They were also going to the rivers to bathe and wash their clothes.
Some even had no choice but to ease themselves in the river as there was not enough water even to flush their toilets.
Remos Jepos, 34, from Kampung Semadang, Jalan Borneo Heights, said the current situation was tough on everybody.
“There has been no rain since Thursday, making the situation even worse.
“Water sent by KWB and JBALB in tankers are just not enough,” Remos said.
He said he and his family had to bathe and wash their clothes in a river, which is about 30 minutes’ walk from his house.
JBALB in a statement yesterday said the water supply interruption affected residents around Kampung Seratau, Kampung Mambong, Kampung Sikog, Kampung Simbuh, Trienekens waste centre, Kampung Bratan, Kampung Bawang, Kampung Git, PULAPOL, CMS Clinkers, Penjara Puncak Borneo and along Jalan Borneo Heights.
The statement added that JBALB and KWB would continue to send treated water while work on pipeline repairs and checking on the water pump system as well air lock continued.
“KWB and JBALB (Kuching Division) are trying hard to track down the cause of water supply interruption along Jalan Borneo Heights and the surrounding areas.”
It said water supply interruption in these areas would continue and consumers were advised to store enough water for their daily needs.
“KWB and JBALB will continue to send water supply these affected areas until the supply is restored.”
According to JBALB, the disruption of supply started with interconnection at KWB supply to JBALB at Mile 10 and after that there were air lock problem in the system.
JBALB clarified that their water supply comes from KWB and these affected area (Mile 10) are under the purview of KWB, but somehow it affected JBALB water supply as well.
