ALL SMILES: Residents of Rumah Timan showing the thumbs-up sign for the efforts of Wong (fourth left) and Azuan (right).
SARIKEI: Longhouse folks along Kanowit/Julau/Durin (KJD) Road in Julau near here are relieved that the water supply problem which they had experienced in the past few months had improved.
Though the problem was yet to be fully rectified, the residents were delighted that clean water supply had started to flow out from their taps again, albeit very slowly.
They attributed this to the sincere efforts of Meluan assemblyman Wong Judat who brought officers from the relevant authority to the ground to identify the source of the problem and find ways and means to solve it.
“We really appreciate YB Wong and the staff of Public Works Department Water Supply Section for their effort in addressing our problem. Thank you very much YB and everyone involved,” headman of one of the affect longhouses, Tuai Rumah Timban Umpi said.
According to Timban, water had started to flow from their taps again a week ago after having run dry for the past three or four months.
According to Wong, the water supply they enjoyed now was sourced from Julau Water Treatment Plant as the Bintangor Temedak Treatment Plant which they had relied on all this while was not able to convey the supply to this area due to low pressure.
Furthermore, the longhouses along KJD Road were located on high-level areas which required strong pressure to enable the water to flow out through their taps, he said, adding, the current pressure was unable to push the water supply to two highest houses, Rumah Marikan and Rumah Abol.
Wong expressed his gratitude to Julau JKR officer in-charge, Muhd. Azuan Tiong, for agreeing to divert the source of water supply to these areas.
However, Azuan considered the course of action taken so far as only a short term solution.
The problem might crop up again as consumption was anticipated to increase, he said, adding, the nearby new SMK Julau which was expected to be open very soon would certainly contribute to the problem.
Nevertheless, Azuan hoped the problem could be addressed with the installation of switch valves or even construction of storage tanks.