Shahelmey giving his speech when officiating the Putatan Parliamentary level Smart Jawab SPM 2024.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 23): The State Works Ministry is aware and working hard to address water disruptions affecting the Putatan and Kota Kinabalu areas in recent weeks, said its minister, Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya.
Shahelmey said the disruptions were caused by a broken pump at the Telibong Water Treatment Plant as well as burst pipes around three to four weeks ago, so the water supply produced from the Moyog and Kasigui plants had to be shared with several areas in Northern Kota Kinabalu.
He said as the situation improved and his side restored water pressure to Putatan, adjustments to the pipeline system had caused more pipes to burst and consequently, low water pressure in certain areas, which the State Water Department (JANS) is currently working hard to resolve.
The minister explained that whenever water rationing is carried out, pressure in the pipeline system changes, so old pipes can burst, aside from undetected burst pipes due to construction works.
“In Putatan, I had received many complaints regarding this problem from near Taman Jumbo, Taman Bersatu, Kampung Contoh and in Ketiau.
“As of now, conditions are gradually improving. Latest, JANS had detected another burst pipe, this time in the Lido area which also sends water to Putatan. When this is resolved, we can hopefully restore the water supply.
“JANS has been working daily to overcome this problem, and we hope the rakyat can be patient,” he told reporters after the Putatan parliamentary level Smart Jawab SPM 2024 programme at Maktab Sabah Kota Kinabalu here on Saturday.
He added that Putatan actually needs a new water treatment plant, and once the Kasigui Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project is complete around April next year, the amount of water supply will be at a more comfortable level.
