A worker is seen at the site of the burst pipe in front of Louis Junction. — Photo courtesy of YB John Ilus
SERIAN: Serian town and surrounding areas were again hit by water supply problems yesterday after two water mains there ruptured.
The first was in front of the Louis Junction commercial centre near the Serian roundabout, said to be caused after it was struck on Wednesday by a heavy machine used for the ongoing works on the Pan Borneo Highway project.
The second burst was at the mains at Kampung Slabi, not far from the Slabi water treatment plant, early yesterday morning. The cause was not immediately known, though it is said to be unrelated to the ongoing works on the Pan Borneo Highway project.
The Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB)’s office in Serian had issued notice informing about the water supply interruption, which it expected to be solved by 6pm yesterday depending on the progress of repair works by the contractor.
JBALB Serian office had also called on consumers in Serian to stock enough water in their respective households for their own use.
Serian MP and Human Resources Minister Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, who was in Putrajaya, has expressed concern over the incidents since the hospital, clinics, businesses, schools and homes there are affected by the low water pressure and even dry taps.
“I call on the authorities to not only inform consumers of the situation but to look at ways to ensure water supply to places like hospitals, clinics and public toilets is continued uninterrupted,” he said.
He also called on motorists to drive carefully and observe road signs for direction as there were road diversions at the places where repairs on the burst pipes took place.
Meanwhile, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus said this was the second time in a week that Serian town was hit by water supply problem caused by burst pipe.
He said the pipe in front of the Louis Junction commercial centre had also burst on Jan 24 also due to ongoing works on the Pan Borneo Highway project.
Expressing his concern that this latest incident was worse than the previous one, he hoped the problem could be fixed quickly for the convenience of consumers.
A source from JBALB Serian when contacted said the completion of repair works depended on the weather since it would involve welding of the giant steel pipe.