Kinarut folks getting water at odd hours
Published on: Thursday, January 13, 2022
By: Sidney Skinner
.jpg "Kinarut folks getting water at odd hours")
The pressure of the supply which reaches the tanks at night is shown above.
THE Water Department will step up efforts to check on the condition of its equipment in Taman Limauan, Kinarut, to prevent these devices from breaking down.A spokesman for the agency said special attention would be given to the pumps near the ground tanks, which needed to be manually reactivated from time to time.
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“The staff, tasked with doing this, has been asked to be more mindful of any electricity disruptions in the area and to make his way to our pump-house, as soon as he can, after the power comes back,” he said.
“In some instances, he may be required to switch on the pumps after a blackout occurs in the neighbourhood.”
He explained that these devices operated on an automated system.
“A sensor is supposed to switch the pumps off, when the water levels in the tanks are low, and switch them on, when the levels next reach the required height.”
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The spokesman said the pumps and control panel were checked regularly to ensure that they operated as they should.
“These devices are thoroughly serviced according to a fixed schedule.
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“This maintenance involves greasing the mechanism and replacing any defective components for the pumps and their control panel.”
He was responding to a complaint about from a consumer about the weak water pressure in Taman Limauan.
She lamented the strength of the supply trickling from her taps, saying that even the flow of a child’s urine was stronger.
The spokesman explained that, during the day, some Kinarut residents might find that the pressure of their supply was weak or, worse still, that their taps had run dry.
“Once offices and shops close for the day, the pressure at these same premises improves,” he explained.
“This is because more consumers draw tap water during office hours, rather than at night, and our Kogopon Treatment Plant cannot keep up with the day time demand.”
He advised the public there to get water tanks to weather the difficulties caused by the erratic supply.
These receptacles should have a capacity of, at least, 200 galleons, according to him.
“The tanks will allow them to store tap water when it is available in their respective areas.”
He said it was best to set up these receptacles closer to the front yard instead of at the back.
“Those with tanks behind might not be able to replenish their supply if our tankers have to deliver treated water to them.
“There have been numerous instances where the hose from the vehicle has not been long enough to reach the back yard.”
AZIAN of Kinarut claimed the residents in Taman Limauan only received tap water during late at night or in the wee hours.
“I have to forgo sleep at night to store some water as I cannot do this during the day because I am work,” she said.
“It is very inconvenient for me to carry out chores around the house, when the supply is so unreliable.”
She said she could not even take a bath, or brush teeth at home, as the taps in her bathroom were dry.
Azian claimed that, at one stage, those staying there were without a supply for close to a week.
“I am at a loss to understand why this has happened as those in the town are still able to receive tap water.”
She said she had contacted the Department’s Care Line repeatedly on and off since these supply problems first began “months ago”.
“The staff can only assure me that the relevant section are attending to these woes.
“These assurances have not amounted to much as the situation has not improved.”
Azian said she had tried phoning the agency’s office in Papar when the water woes recurred in January.
“I made five calls over two days at different times of the morning and afternoon.
“Despite getting through to this line, each of my calls went unanswered.”
The individual provided Hotline with the location of her home, as well as the dates of her recent woes. This information was forwarded to the Department.
The spokesman said its staff went to Taman Limauan, shortly after learning about this problem.
They checked on the condition of the Department’s installations, including the pumps and balancing tanks, servicing the neighbourhood, according to him.
“The pumps and control panel for these devices were found to be in good order,” he said.
“However, the duty-pump was found to be inoperative and reactivated. We suspect it might have tripped because of a power disruption in the neighbourhood.”
He said the agency’s personnel also confirmed that treated water was indeed reaching the tanks.
The pressure of the supply in the pipes leading to these receptacles was checked during the day and night.
“It was found to be acceptable in both instances.”
He said the Department’s also had a look at the distribution mains leading to the complainant’s water-metre.
“There were no air-locks inside and found that our supply was reaching her house.
“They managed to have a word with her during this inspection.”
On the difficulties she had experienced in phoning its Papar branch, the spokesman said the agency was working together with its telecommunications service provider to rectify this problem.
“Our technicians are checking the phone lines inside and outside our building to isolate the cause,” he said.
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