Measures taken to reduce Sandakan's salty tap water problem, says Shahelmey

KOTA KINABALU: Measures are ongoing to resolve the issue of salty water supply consumers in Sandakan are facing, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

He said that among the measures was to dilute the high chloride content in treated water at the Segualid water treatment plant.

Shahelmey, who is state Works Minister, said that the plant operator had also added a pump at the plant to fill the dam.

"Since May 5, the dam water level has risen by half a metre.

"It is hoped that it can help increase efforts to dilute the chloride to the prescribed level," he said during a follow-up visit to the Segaliud Water Treatment Plant in Sandakan on Monday (May 15).

Some 300,000 water consumers have resorted to use bottled water for their cooking and drinking since late October last year after a river gate broke down and seawater entered the Segualid plant.

The damaged gate was last fixed but the salty water problem persisted.

Shahelmey said his ministry had also received suggestions on how to deal with the problem.

On Sabah's water situation during the current dry spell, Shahelmey said that the state so far had a water surplus.

"Reserves are still holding during this current dry season," he said, adding that there is no need for any water rationing.

In the event of a long-drawn dry spell due to the El Nino phenomenon, Shahelmey said a contingency plan would be put in place to ensure all areas are supplied with sufficient water.