A man works through the night to fix a water pump used to pump the murky salty river water.
SARATOK: Villagers from Kampung Kupang Hulu, Kampung Kupang Tengah and Kampung Kupang Hilir in Saratok have appealed to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to help them with clean water supply.
Currently the villagers rely on murky salty water from the Krian River for their daily use including consumption.
The more well-to-do have invested in pipes and water pumps costing over RM300 to pump water from the river for their use, while some have even resorted to borrowing money to purchase their own water pumps.
Others have to collect water from the river using containers every day.
Their water woes have been highlighted in the media over the last 20 years and their three headmen have gone to the relevant authorities countless times but nothing has changed.
“Even our previous and also present headmen have briefed us that the relevant authorities concerned have told them repeatedly that the main pipeline of six inches in diameter needs to be changed to 12 inches, but every time the officers involved would say they are not sure when it could be done,” complained a spokesman for the villagers, who did not wish to be named.
“In relation to that we strongly propose that the size of the main pipe should be 24 inches and not 12 inches because of the water pressure involved. If the pipe size is not big enough, the pressure would not be strong enough. So how can the water reach our three villages?”
He explained from the main water treatment plant, the water is supplied to the many mushrooming residential areas as well as business premises, factories, schools, government departments and agencies as well as the two large villages at Kampung Melango.
“Only then it goes to our three villages, which are located 30 to 40 minutes away by boat,” he said.
Villagers said that sending lorries of clean water supply during festive seasons like Hari Raya Aidilfitri to the villages was inadequate to fulfil their daily needs.
“We want to make it clear that, we in these three villages have always supported the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate from the time of our forefathers until today,” added the spokesman.
“Please do not get us wrong. Voicing out our problems does not mean that we are against BN. Our main intention is only for our problem of getting clean water supply solved once and for all.”