City Hall clears drains around Likas homes
Published on: Friday, May 26, 2023
By: Sidney Skinner
The company’s worker got into this drain in Taman Setia to clean it properly.
City Hall has cleared the drain behind some homes in Taman Likas Jaya in a bid to mitigate the nuisance created by water stagnating inside this structure.
A spokesman for the agency’s Landscaping Department said the backyard drains at residential properties within its rating area – including the one located off Lorong Burung Kenari 2 – were cleared biannually.
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He said the grass on the reserves, on the other hand, was cut on a monthly basis.
“Nevertheless, in light of the homeowner’s complaint, our Landscaping staff went to Taman Likas Jaya even before they were due to do so,” he said.
He said a check of its records revealed that the backyard drain in this part of the neighbourhood had been dealt with three times already this year on February 14, May 2 and May 12.
Landscaping workers put their back into cleaning the drain behind Lorong Burung Kenari 2.
The most recent maintenance effort was carried out in stages over a three-day period by 12 personnel from City Hall’s Drain Unit, according to the spokesman.
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“Our workers used ‘cangkuls (hoes)’ to dredge up the layers of sediment which had settled at the base of the drain.
“The weeds which had formed inside and unkempt greenery on the shoulders of the structure were cut with the ‘parangs (machetes)’ they had on hand.”
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The spokesman said the agency’s staff had been asked to check on the condition of the drain, from time to time, to ensure that the nuisance did not recur.
This action was prompted by feedback from a Taman Likas Jaya rate-payer about the stink coming from the direction of the drains at the back and in front of her house.
She suspected that the sludge at the bottom of these structures could have given rise to the stench.
The homeowner hoped the local authorities would consider having the drains flushed with water jets to diffuse the bad smell.
The spokesman thanked the homeowner for her suggestion, saying that the agency’s administration would have to determine the feasibility of doing this.
“We were made to understand that the government concessionaire, which looks after her front yard drain, had also learned of her request to implement the flushing,” he said.
Personnel with City Hall’s Drain Unit use ‘cangkuls’ to remove the sludge from this drain in Likas.
He said the company’s workers had cleaned this structure on Wednesday.
RANJEET of Likas said a foul odour had been wafting into her house from the drains on the periphery of her compound for some time.
“I have to keep most of my doors and windows closed to minimise the possibility of the unpleasant smell getting in,” she said.
Despite these efforts, Ranjeet said the stench could still be detected, especially at night, which made it difficult for her to get a restful sleep.
“Even the scent from the joss sticks which I burn doesn’t help in easing this nuisance.
“Me and my neighbours fear the negative impact on our health from constantly inhaling the unsettling fumes given off by the water inside the drains.”
This homeowner was not the only rate-payer who was unhappy about the poor condition of the road-side drains in Likas.
COLLEEN, who lives in Taman Setia, said the drain outside her front gate was clogged with water vegetation and mud.
“The water inside has turned black and has a dense quality about it,” she said.
One of the agency’s workers uses his ‘parang’ to trim the unkempt greenery growing on this drain reserve.
“I have noticed an increase in the number of mosquitoes coming indoors at night and suspect that these insects might have made a habitat inside the drain.”
The spokesman said an inspection was made of Lorong Burung Puju shortly after City Hall learned about these irregularities.
“Landscaping staff confirmed the drain along the housing road was full of water and clogged with weeds,” he said.
He said the concessionaire was apprised of these findings and advised to take the necessary action.
“When our personnel returned a few days later, they found that the drain had been maintained.
“We have called on the company to step up their efforts when it comes to tending to this structure and others around the neighbourhood.”
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