KOTA KIANABALU: Sabah’s overall water supply has improved significantly with noticeable reduction in non-revenue water (NRW), although several districts are still facing insufficient supply.
Sabah Water Department director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib said based on statistics, the number of complaints received with regard to water supply interruption or low water pressure had declined significantly over the last two years.
The remaining few districts still facing insufficient supply would also be expected to have enough clean water for their population soon, based on the various projects currently being implemented.
“In general, we still receive some complaints from several places but they are not serious as compared to before this. We have more water treatment plants operating now and the overall supply is much better.
“For example three years ago in Papar, we used to have more than 50 per cent supply deficiency but it’s better now, and once all the proposed projects are fully completed there will be no water problem at all,” he said to reporters after leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan here yesterday.
Mohd Tahir said most of the complaints on water supply were received from Kuala Penyu and Menumbok. He however did not give any figure.
He added various programmes were in the pipeline for improving water supply in these areas and were expected to be fully implemented in two to three years’ time.
The department, according to Mohd Tahir, were also implementing programmes to improve its service delivery, including hiring more staff to address the issue of insufficient personnel at some of its offices.
On NRW, he said various projects implemented in Sandakan and Tawau, where water loss was very high, had started to show a positive impact.
“Some of these projects have been completed and we have seen some changes. Now our focus is on Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
He said the NRW rate for Sabah as of March was 51 per cent, which is a significant decrease from 76 per cent in 2010.