JOHOR BARU: Intermittent water cuts since Sunday have caused a lot of problems and hardship to thousands of residents in several major housing areas here.
Among the worst hit is Taman Desa Tebrau where water supply has been completely disrupted since Sunday evening.
Other areas affected include Taman Pelangi Indah, Taman Desa Cemerlang, Kim Teng Park, Jalan Lumba Kuda, Bukit Chagar and Bandar Baru Uda.
Many of the residents claim that they were caught off guard about the cuts, with some saying that even their water tanks were now empty.
They said many shops have also run out of bottled water.
A resident known as Tan, 35, said this was the worst water cut that he had experienced since moving to Taman Desa Tebrau about 10 years ago.
“It was so sudden. I tried calling Syarikat Air Johor’s (SAJ) hotline for help but I could not get through and there is also no response to my complaints via SMS,” he said.
Another resident, known as K. Amaloo, 66, said she had to resort to buying drinking water for her use.
“When I contacted SAJ, they said that the disruption was due to ammonia contaminating our water treatment plant as well as low water pressure at the reservoir,” she said.
She hoped SAJ would restore supply as soon as possible as it was very inconvenient for the elderly to carry water to the top floor of their flats when the water tankers arrive.
Another resident known as Ahmad Hassan, 51, said the water tankers were only supplying water to flats dwellers and those living in high-rise units.
“Those in landed properties also need water. SAJ should set up portable water dispensers in every affected area,” he said.
Ahmad said he was surprised that some of the shoplots and commercial areas in Desa Tebrau had water supply.
“I sent all my laundry to the launderette near my house and it was full. Where are they getting their water supply from,” he said, adding that he too was unable to get through to the SAJ hotline.
Johor public works and regional development committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad, confirmed that the water cut since Sunday, was because high level of ammonia was found in Sungai Skudai.
“This is not the first time this has happened. I have directed SAJ to send water tankers to help those in the affected areas.
“As of yesterday morning, the water treatment plant was back in operation but it may take up to 24 hours for supply to resume,” he said, urging consumers to be patient.
Hasni said they were looking for long-term solutions to resolve the problem, including getting water supply from other sources.
For queries, contact the SAJ hotline at 1800-887-474.
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