Purification plants to supply drinking water in Ranau
Published on: Friday, June 19, 2015
Ranau: The Sabah State Government is doing its level best to overcome the water shortage faced by the people of Ranau and Kundasang following the mudslides triggered by the June 5 earthquake. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the State Water Department was working hard to restore water supply to the people in the area."I have been briefed that 60 per cent of the water supply in the area will return to normal production by midnight," he said here Thursday.
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He was briefed by Deputy Director of the Sabah Water Department Teo Chee Kong, after visiting the Liwagu Water Intake plant and the evacuation centre at the Ranau community hall. Musa said he had also directed that contingency measures be taken to deal with the water shortage. He said two units of the Drinking Water Purification Plants will be set up at Ranau town and Kg Sinar, Ranau. "We understand that the people's hardship due to the quake has been compounded by the water shortage," he said. According to Musa, each plant produces 24 tons of drinking water per day, enabling the kampung people to collect water in containers or bottles.
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"The plant treats raw water directly from the river and purifies it to drinking water to WHO (World Health Organisation) standards," he said. The plants will be set up tomorrow (Friday) and are loaned free of charge from Timatch and will be operated by the Sabah Water Department until the water situation has fully stabilised.
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He said efforts were underway to remove debris from rivers that had subsequently clogged the water treatment plants that eventually led to the water shortage. He said in the meantime, collection centres had been set up to distribute bottled water including those donated by the public. "I am glad to see the spirit of giving is alive and well in Sabah in our time of crisis," he said. Musa said the government was monitoring the flooding and mudslide situation in Kundasang area namely Kampung Masilau and had evacuated the people and placed them at evacuation centres. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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