KOTA KINABALU: The issue of murky water in the Menggatal area is said to be caused by the connection work of the transmission pipes at the Menggatal intersection on February 23, 2024, which has resulted in the water supply becoming turbid and smelly around Rampayan and Inanam Laut.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya said immediate action has been taken by the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) by flushing the main transmission throughout the affected area.
According to him, Jans is currently investigating the matter, and if there is negligence on the part of the contractor, legal action will be taken.
Ir Shahelmey, who is also the State Minister of Works, said this in a statement here today.
Regarding the issue of murky water in Melinsung, he said the investigation found that the water supplied from JANS to Melinsung Apartment is indeed clean.
“The murky water is caused by the tanks owned by Melinsung Apartment (balancing and elevated tanks) that have never been cleaned since the apartment started operating.
“The cleaning of the tanks is the responsibility of the apartment management. The water becomes turbid due to sediment disturbance when it enters the residents’ homes during the pumping of water into the tanks,” he said.
Ir Shahelmey said Jans is still awaiting a report on the cleaning of the tanks from the management of Melinsung Apartment.
“Compound fines will be issued if it is found that no cleaning work has been carried out,” he said.
Regarding the water shortage issue in Papar, Ir Shahelmey said that for the safety of consumers, the operation of the Limbahau plant had to be temporarily stopped due to the crisis of saltwater entering the surface intake of the plant, which caused the raw water to be unable to be processed and distributed to consumers.
“For the affected areas due to the saltwater crisis in the Papar River, the Papar District Water Department is continuously making arrangements to address the issue.
“Furthermore, the water from the Kogopon plant is also distributed to the affected areas, but there are some regions experiencing low water pressure, making it quite challenging to distribute it,” he said.
