KOTA KINABALU, Sept 19 — The city is grappling with a major water supply shortage of about 30 million litres per day following damage to the Kasigui Water Treatment Plant and a key pipeline failure caused by a landslide along Jalan Kampung Sogumau in Penampang.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya described the shortage as substantial, affecting households, hotels, and commercial premises across the city.
“The shortfall of 30 million litres per day is quite significant and is certainly being felt by residents and consumers,” he said during a press conference held in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to disaster-hit areas in Sabah on Friday.
The disruption stemmed from a landslide that broke a key raw water transmission pipe connecting the Madziang intake point to the Moyog Water Treatment Plant. The Kasigui Water Treatment Plant also sustained damage in the incident.
Shahelmey, who is also state minister of works, said repair works are underway and expected to be completed within five to seven days.
“I have instructed the contractor to increase manpower at the site to expedite the repair works. We are hopeful that restoration can be completed earlier than scheduled,” he added.
As a stopgap, the Sabah State Water Department has been deploying tankers to affected areas, including hotels and residential neighbourhoods.
In Sandakan, a recent disruption was linked to a September 18 power outage, but Shahelmey confirmed that the Segaliud Water Treatment Plant has since resumed full operations.
However, he cautioned that water pressure may take time to stabilise and could trigger bursts in ageing pipelines.
Residents are advised to monitor the Sabah State Water Department’s official Facebook page for updates. Since September 13, the department has received around 800 complaints and identified 46 burst pipes statewide. — The Borneo Post
