Taps Run Dry In Many Areas
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - As Brunei Darussalam continued to experience heavy downpours from the northeast monsoon, residents in Brunei Muara District and Tutong district have to face some waterless woes today following power failure at major water treatment plants on Wednesday night.

The Department of Water Services however has stepped in time to remedy the situation proficiently after lessons learnt in a similar disruption that took place in September. An emergency task force was activated to deal with the situation immediately after the power failed.

According to a press release by the Water Services Department, rectification works were immediately carried out following the power failure at the major water treatment plants. Water supply was expected to resume by last evening but the public can only receive water supply today while the water reservoirs water level are being built up.

The Public experienced low water pressure in the Brunei Muara and Tutong District from 8.30am on Thursday morning (December 28, 2006). This is expected to continue until this morning (December 29, 2006).

Many households have already begun to experience no water especially in some parts of Tutong District served by Durian Reservoir namely Kg Kupang, Sungai Kelugos, Sinaut, Bukit Panggal, Luagan Duduk, Birau, Luagan Timbaran, along Lamunin until Benutan and Merimbun areas. While areas that are affected in Brunei Muara District include places which are served by Lambak Kanan Reservoir, Diplomatic Tower Reservoir, Mata Mata Reservoir, Pulaie Reservoir, Sungai Akar Reservoir, Sungai Hanching Reservoir and Melabau Reservoir.

The places affected in Brunei Muara District are Jangsak, Mata Mata & Beribi area, Perindahan Lambak Kanan, Sg Tilong, Manggis I & II area, Diplomatic area, Jln Kebangsaan Lama, Sungai Akar, Pusat Dakwah area, Perpindahan Mata Mata, Katok B area, Pulaie, Jln Muara, Delima, Manggis, Anggerek Desa, Masjid Serusop Area, Belimbing Subok, part of Jln Muara (from Atlanta shop until Sungai Tilong), Sungai Hanching, Salambigar, Tanah Jambu area, Gadong & Centrepoint area, old airport, Jln Mentiri Besar, Stadium, Perpindahan Burung Pingai Berakas & Anggerek Desa. The Water Department confirmed that the interruption of water supply in both districts was due to a power failure from the incoming 66 KV power main at Pasir Putih (6.20am until Sam- 2711 December 2006).

The second occurrence was due to power failure from incomer line I serving Layong treatment plant from 9.50pm (2711 December 2006) until lam (28th December 2006). These occurrence affected power supply at the major water treatment plants in Bukit Barun (serving Brunei Muara District and some parts of Tutong district area) and Layong (Tutong area) during the disruption period.

Bukit Barun treatment plant was operating on a 163 mid production level (3 blg,pumps) and Layong on 50% operation level (Sg Burong - 1 out of 2 pumps running, Tutong -1 out of 2 pumps running, Bukit Udal -1 out of 2 pumps running). I no ACB switchgear for incomer line I serving Layong Treatment plant failed (burnt) and replacement works are still being carried out and estimated to complete by 5pm, 28te December 2006. Until 4pm yesterday, request for water tanker services have totalled to more than 40.

The emergency task force team was activated immediately on notification from Layong treatment plant at 12 midnight, 28th December 2006 and steps were taken to identify and rectify the problem.

Among the steps were spare ACB's that have been purchased since Hari Raya. These are used to replace the burnt ACB with DES's assistance, identifying extension of affected areas- some areas in Brunei Muara district and Tutong district are affected by the power disruption at Bukit Baron and Layong Water Treatment plants except in some parts of Muara area including Jln Kota Batu, Mentiri area and Bandar area which are receiving water supply served from Mengkabau & Tasek treatment plants. Bukit Barun was operating on only 5% since up to 4pm, 27th December 2006. Other steps include public announcement through the media, mobilisation of water tankers and blue tanks to strategic locations and continuous monitoring of water level at all major reservoirs as well as water supply to affected hotels.

The department of Water Services is preparing to extend its water tanker services, Blue Tanks at strategic locations where water supply is available to the public. The water tankers are serving amongst other Orchid Garden hotel, Centrepoint hotel, D'anggerek apartment, Traders Inn, all affected mosques as well as public request through hotline 140.

While the blue tanks in Brunei Muara District are located at Lambak Kanan Mosque, Lambak Berakas Mosque, Salambigar Mosque. Rimba Mosque, Jubilee Mosque, Jame Asr Mosque, Rimba Mosque, Kg Perpindahan Lambak Kiri, Kg Lambak Kanan near the police post. In Tutong district, the blue tanks are situated at Kupang Mosque, Sg Kelukos Mosque, Sinaut Mosque, Balai Raya, Kg Kupang, Batu 17 Pasar Sayur, Binturan and Tutong camp.

The Department of water Services would like to urge the public to be patient during the water disruption and also to minimise water wastage. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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