Donny (left) and Lau waiting with BAT 6 outside Bayai Water Treatment Plant to see if there is anyone from the plant who can explain the reasons for the dry taps in Sri Aman.
A staff of SK St Lawrence makes do with what little water that comes out of the tap to prepare lunch for the pupils.
SRI AMAN: Dry taps in this district since Sunday has not only slowed down businesses but it has resulted in many boarding pupils from longhouses to be absent from schools.
At SK St Lawrence, a primary school about 5km away from here, 15 out of the 88 boarders (38 boys and 50 girls) have preferred to stay back in their longhouses because of the dry taps in their school.
A concerned grandparent Donny Steven said on Sunday, the boarders had returned to the school only to find out that water supply was a problem.
They have been asked to return to their longhouses after school because the water supply was not enough for daily use although the authority had sent 800 litres of water to the school of 247 pupils.
“The water sent to the school is not even treated water. It is murky and muddy. It can only be used for washing and not cooking. For the time being for the water required to prepare breakfast and lunch, the school has been using the remaining treated water in their storage.
“Due to the lack of clean water, the school cannot provide dinner for the boarders. That is why they are asked to go back to their longhouses.
“The school said if the taps were still dry the next day, it will not be able to provide breakfast and lunch for the boarders. As such, more pupils are expected to be absent from school,” Donny told BAT 6 yesterday.
He thus urged the authorities to look into the matter as it had affected the pupils’ study.
Meanwhile, president of Simanggang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Dato Dr Ngu Piew Seng said the water shortage had caused businesses in Sri Aman to slow down, especially those involved in the food business.
Operating hours have been cut as it was very inconvenient for them to operate at the usual hours.
“I have been receiving many complaints from residents and business owners for the last three days about dry taps. It has not only caused much inconvenience to the housewives but worst, it has caused much loss to the business operators.
“It has been hot here of late which further aggravates the situation due to the lack of water. The people cannot live their normal daily lives. There has been a lot of frustration.”
He thus hoped the state government would take measures such as keeping spare parts for the (water) filters which are prone to breaking down.
“Don’t wait for things to happen before fixing it. By that time, the situation may give rise to much frustration and inconveniences.”
“It has been three days since the taps in Sri Aman are running dry. I am wondering why it takes the authorities so long to fix the problem.”
“Furthermore, since there is an obvious need for water, the authorities must send clean water to every part of Sri Aman which are affected. They must come up with a schedule and inform the residents of their schedule so that those affected may go and collect the water,” said Ngu.
Councillor David Lau meanwhile questioned why the taps here have gone dry because the Bayai Water Treatment Plant was after all a comparatively new water plant.
“Rumours have it that the three pumps at the plant have all broken down due to a recent flood. We are not sure what is going on. We just hope that the authorities concerned will take quick action and get the water supply back to normal for the residents, especially the students whose studies are affected,” he said.
BAT 6 went to check on the Bayai Water Treatment Plant but it was locked from the outside. About 10 minutes later, an assistant engineer from Rural Development Department arrived to explain what has been causing the dry taps.
He said there was a flash flood on Saturday.
All three pumps which were submerged under water broke down.
With all the three pumps not working, the plant has stopped supplying water to Sri Aman since Sunday.
“The flood water has now subsided and we are repairing the pumps. We have to repair them and make sure they are dry before we use them again,” he said.
He said with the on-going repair works, the plant would be able to function normally within one or two days.