By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
SELAMA: More than 50 households in Kampung Batu 6 and Batu 7, Bukit Bertam, are calling on the relevant authorities to construct a new water tank to address water supply issues that they claim have persisted for years.
Kampung Batu 6 and Batu 7 Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) secretary Ramli Ahmad, 64, said low water pressure and frequent supply disruptions continue to affect the daily lives of residents.
He said various complaints have been submitted to the relevant authorities through letters, emails and official complaint channels, but no concrete solution has been implemented to date.
“Residents have been dealing with this issue for a very long time. The population is increasing, and infrastructure development in the area is also growing, yet basic utilities such as water supply remain at a worrying level.
“We hope the state government and relevant agencies can take immediate action by providing a more suitable water tank to accommodate the growing population and increasing water demand in the area,” he said.
He added that the situation becomes more difficult during festive seasons and school holidays, when water supply is frequently disrupted, and pressure drops significantly, affecting daily routines.
“At times, residents do not receive any water supply at all. When water is available, it only flows late at night with very low pressure before slowing down again.
“Almost weekly disruptions force us to incur additional costs to obtain alternative water supplies for daily use,” he said.
Ramli urged the relevant authorities to conduct on-site inspections and take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
He said the construction of a new water tank is seen as a long-term solution to the water supply problems in the area.
“Clean water is a basic necessity. We hope residents’ concerns are taken seriously so that this long-standing issue can be resolved for the well-being of the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, motorcycle workshop operator Mohd Aidil Haiqal Che Ros, 26, said the ongoing water supply issues have also affected his business operations.
“It is very difficult when there is no water. Cleaning spare parts and workshop equipment becomes challenging. Water is essential for our daily work,” he said.
He added that even when water is available, it is often only sufficient for minimal use, and at times, they are forced to collect rainwater for daily needs.
“This situation really affects both traders and residents. We hope the relevant authorities take urgent action as it also impacts our income,” he said.
Housewife Abidah Mat Daud, 45, said the lack of a clean water supply forces families to ration water usage to ensure basic daily needs are met.
“It is very difficult. The available water is not enough for the whole family. Bathing, cooking, washing and managing the children all become difficult.
“We have to be frugal and ration water usage daily. Sometimes we even have to buy additional water because the supply is insufficient,” she said.
She said residents hope the issue is given serious attention as they have long been facing unresolved water disruptions.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Lembaga Air Perak (LAP) said investigations are being carried out to identify the root cause of the disruption, including possible leaks in the distribution system.
He said the geographical terrain of the hilly area is also a major challenge in ensuring adequate water pressure reaches consumers consistently.
“Residential areas located on hilly terrain experience low water pressure, making it difficult to ensure a consistent supply to certain locations.
“In addition, increased water consumption and population growth also affect existing supply capacity,” he said.
He added that the construction of a new water tank is seen as one of the long-term solutions that could help increase supply capacity and reduce low-pressure issues faced by residents.
LAP remains committed to resolving the issue as soon as possible, with various measures being taken to restore supply stability.
“The department is currently identifying the cause of the problem and is working to resolve it. Updates will be provided from time to time,” he said.
