SANDAKAN: State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib wants the Water Department and responsible concessionaires to immediately carry out maintenance on boreholes around the district to address the increasingly critical water supply problem.
He said this after visiting a borehole located within the Sandakan Vocational College compound at Batu 2 on Saturday.
It is understood that the underground water supply through the boreholes is one of the contributors to the Hilltop Water Treatment Plant (WTP), which is currently closed due to insufficient water sources.
The closure of the Hilltop WTP has caused water supply disruptions in most areas of Sandakan, particularly from the town centre to the Nam Tung area.
“From our previous visit to the Hilltop WTP, we found that there are 10 non-functioning boreholes. Therefore, the Water Department has directed a consultant to assess the situation and studies show that three boreholes can still be used but require immediate maintenance,” he said.
He said if at least five out of the 10 boreholes can be repaired, Sandakan’s water shortage problems could be reduced in the near future.
“Therefore, I urge the Water Department and concession companies to immediately go to the ground and collaborate in finding solutions to ensure water supply returns to stability in Sandakan,” he added.
He hoped that maintenance work can be carried out promptly to ensure that at least three to five boreholes become operational again and can channel water to the Hilltop WTP to meet residents’ needs.
Also present during the visit were Sandakan Municipal Council President Walter Kenson, Karamunting Assemblyman Datuk George Hiew and representatives from the Sandakan Water Department.
Meanwhile, George hoped the maintenance work can be implemented immediately to resolve the water crisis that has burdened residents in his area.
He said the water problem not only affects residents’ quality of life but also causes difficulties for businesses, especially restaurants and hotels.
