Water no longer an issue for Subang folk

KUCHING: Water is now no longer an issue for residents of Kampung Subang in Padawan about 60km from here with the completion of the gravity feed system to supply 171 houses in the village.

Not only that, the 890 villagers also enjoy free clean drinking water with the installation of four H2O R1 water tanks.

Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah said with the completion of the new gravity feed system and the installation of the special water tanks the villagers should consider themselves as most fortunate as they were now able to enjoy better water supply for washing and also free clean water for drinking and cooking.

“We should be grateful to the Ministry of Health for approving the gravity feed project which was jointly built by the Health Department, Royal Engineer Regiment and the villagers themselves at a cost of RM230,000.

He said the commissioning of the two projects was most timely in view of the inadequate source of water to supply the city and the surrounding areas.

Sagah, who is deputy Speaker, said it was for this reason that the government has decided to build Bengoh Dam to ensure adequate water supply to the city and nearby areas for at least the next 50 years.

“Unfortunately, we are still unable to get our supply from the dam until today as impoundment could not be done due to protests by some affected families after being instigated by opposition parties for political mileage,” he said.

He said that had caused delay in the impoundment of the dam and because of that many villages in the city outskirt were still without treated water supply.

“Many villages are depending on gravity feed for their water supply which will dry up once the drought has set in. This problem can only be solved once the Bengoh Dam comes into operational,” he said.

Meanwhile, H20 Saver Sdn Bhd managing director Dr Rajiv Bhanot told reporters that the H20 R1 tanks installed in Kampung Subang could filter even the very tiny bacteria so the water coming out of the taps is clean and 100 per cent safe for drinking.

“Each tank can store up to 2,000 litres of water and the filter can process up to two million litres of water throughout its estimated lifespan of about three years. The special tank costs RM40,000 each and so far 76 units have been installed in various villages in Tarat constituency.

“This project comes under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and everything is free,” he said.

Second officer in-charge of the Third Royal Engineer Regiment Captain Mohd Adi Anuar, a representative of Kuching Health Department Kassim Serah, Kuching District Bidayuh community leader Raymond Jihap, headman of Kampung Subang Jaban Lunoi and other headmen from nearby villages were among those present at the function.