PUTATAN: Residents of Kingfisher Condominium are urging the government to adopt a more comprehensive approach to development planning to ensure the longstanding water supply problems affecting their homes and surrounding areas are not repeated.
They claimed that rapid development from Putatan to Papar, including the construction of condominiums and new housing projects, has significantly increased water demand, affecting thousands of residents.
Sarjit
One resident, Sarjit Ramday, 76, said the water supply issue has never been resolved since he moved into the condominium two years ago.
He said the situation has become so severe that some residents have had to stay in hotels or temporarily move in with relatives whenever prolonged water disruptions occur.
“We were initially informed that the problem would be resolved after the upgrading of the Kasigui Water Treatment Plant, reportedly completed in 2024, and the completion of the Kogopon II Water Treatment Plant, which is expected to begin operations in November this year.
“However, I am concerned that the same issue will recur if new developments continue to be approved without taking water supply capacity into account,” he said.
Sarjit was speaking during a meeting between condominium residents and representatives of the Putatan District Office, Sabah Water Department, Public Works Department (JKR), the condominium management and Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sahari on July 24.
“I am worried that even after both treatment plants are operational, water supply problems will continue because development from Putatan to Papar is happening too rapidly without proper urban planning.
“The more condominiums and housing areas that are built, the greater the demand for water. This condominium alone has four blocks housing more than 2,000 residents,” he said.
Another resident, Amyrul Nashrin, 36, shared similar concerns, saying the supply problem became increasingly serious as occupancy at the condominium rose.
He said water disruptions were manageable between 2022 and 2023, but worsened significantly in 2024 and became particularly critical in April and May this year.
“The water supply issue actually started in 2020, but it was not as severe as it has been over the past two years. The disruptions between 2022 and 2023 were still manageable.
“However, since 2024, following the increase in occupancy, the problem has become increasingly serious, particularly in April and May this year,” said Amyrul, who has lived at the condominium since 2020.
Amyrul said residents have also been forced to purchase water supplied by private operators at RM7.50 per cubic metre, compared with the normal tariff of RM1.30.
He claimed water delivered by tankers contained sand and sediment, raising concerns about its cleanliness and causing damage to household appliances.
“We are paying more but are still facing water supply problems. The water delivered by tankers is questionable because it contains sand and sediment.
“Some residents, including children, have experienced skin irritation and itchiness. We do not just need water – we need clean and safe water for bathing, cooking and drinking.
“Our expenses have increased because we have to buy bottled water for drinking and cooking. Some residents have even been forced to stay in hotels or return to their family homes because of the insufficient water supply,” he said.
Amyrul added that the water rationing implemented by the condominium management was inadequate because water is supplied for only about an hour each night.
He said he and his family usually return home around midnight and are therefore unable to store water during the allocated supply period.
Meanwhile, Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sahari said he had raised the issue during the recent Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting before meeting various agencies to seek an immediate solution.
“Alhamdulillah, based on the reports I have received, the water supply situation in this residential area has improved over the past week following my meeting with Putatan Member of Parliament Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
“I was informed that adjustments have been made to the pipeline valves to increase water flow to this housing area. However, this is only a short-term solution because if more water is channelled here, other areas may experience shortages,” he said.
He said a long-term solution is expected once the Kogopon II Water Treatment Plant in Papar begins operations in November, together with the upgraded Kasigui Water Treatment Plant, which will increase water supply capacity for Putatan and surrounding areas.
Awang Ahmad said he would hold discussions with elected representatives, including the Putatan MP, as well as the District Office, Putatan District Council and other relevant agencies to develop a more structured urban planning framework to prevent similar problems from recurring.
“We need to ensure every new development is supported by adequate and well-planned infrastructure so that water supply issues do not continue in future.
“We want development in this district to progress in tandem with infrastructure capacity for the comfort and well-being of residents,” he said.
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