KOTA KINABALU: Illegal water connections are the main cause of water shortages and low pressure in most areas of Sabah, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
This was the major reason why consumers in various districts of Sabah had to deal with water supply disruption in the last few years, he said, adding that there is also a possibility of sabotage by “certain elements” in the state’s water management.
Shahelmey said that such sabotage was likely occurring in Sandakan but might also involve other districts in Sabah.
“Yes, there are such elements (of sabotage) and also due to illegal connections, among others,” he told reporters at an event in Putatan near here.
Currently, he said Sandakan’s water levels in some tube wells had declined and officials were looking for alternative sources to overcome the shortages in the short term.
He said they were also looking at diverting water from Kinabatangan district to Sandakan to meet its water needs.
Sandakan has been in a state of water crisis over the last two to three years.
Meanwhile, the water supply situation to thousands of consumers in Kota Kinabalu and its greater areas have gradually been restored over the weekend after a shut down on Friday to fix a crack on a main pipeline.
The repairs to the main pipeline along Jalan Penampang was completed late Friday by Sabah Water Department and Jetama Sdn Bhd, said Shahelmey, who is also state Works Minister.
“The water pressure is now gradually returning to normal,” he said, adding that authorities were keeping close tabs on the situation.
The latest disruption on Friday was due to a scheduled shutdown to repair the leakage at the main pipe supply line for the city and its surrounding districts.
However, residents in certain areas yesterday were still without water supply or facing low pressure.
Kota Kinabalu is among many areas across Sabah that had been hit by a prolonged water crisis which authorities blame on insufficient supply of treated water, water thefts and old pipes.
