A Week Without Water Raya Joy Dries Up For Kuala Kedah Neighbourhood

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Taman Selat in Kuala Kedah shows a water tank purchased to store water supply.NSTP/NOORAZURA ABDUL RAHMANALOR STAR: The Hari Raya Aidilfitri cheer has all but dried up for about 150 residents of Taman Selat in Kuala Kedah due to a prolonged water disruption.
Some households have been without running water for more than a week.
The 29 affected households said they have lodged several complaints with Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada), but emergency water deliveries have fallen short of meeting their daily needs for the festive season.
Salesman Umar Hafifi Mohd Muhsein, 46, said water woes have become an unwelcome Hari Raya tradition in the neighbourhood for more than a decade.
Siti Rosnani Ahmad Tajuddin, 45, shows the unwashed dishes due to a water supply disruption at her home in Taman Selat, Kuala Kedah. - NSTP/NOORAZURA ABDUL RAHMAN
"Every festive season, I have to tell family and friends not to visit because the water shortage completely ruins the mood," he said today.
Umar said each household has forked out at least RM1,000 to install more water tanks to supplement their built-in units.
But low water pressure continues to hinder supply to the area.
Umar said Sada had failed to provide prior notice on water disruptions.
"We understand that we're among the last in line to receive water supply, but this can't go on.
"At the very least, Sada should schedule emergency deliveries and inform us in advance when supply will be disrupted," said the father of four.
Malini Rosman, 47, said her family resorted to taking showers at petrol stations, mosques and the homes of friends and relatives.
"I've lived here for 12 years. This has always been the reality.
"We can't host anyone for Hari Raya. My son showers at the mosque and my daughter at a friend's house."
The civil servant said Sada only responded to individual complaints, leaving senior citizens and less tech-savvy residents neglected.
"Yesterday, Sada came and asked who filed a complaint.
"They only want to supply water to the complainant.
"I had to explain that we're speaking on behalf of everyone. We all need water.
"There's an elderly man here who doesn't know how to file a complaint. How is he supposed to get water?"
Siti Rosnani Tajuddin, 45, said a neighbour moved out years ago and could not sell the house due to the water problems.
"Who wants to buy a house with no water? It's been up for auction for years with no takers. People are leaving."
She said her family spent up to RM50 daily for laundry and drinking water.
"We ration our drinking water to cut costs. Life here is stressful. Sometimes, we stay up until early morning just to get some water flow.
"Our water pump keeps breaking down. We can't move out. We bought this house. No one wants to rent or buy it."
State Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply and Environmental Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria said he has been notified of the residents' grouses.
He gave an assurance that the area's water woes would be resolved once the Pelubang Water Treatment Plant is completed.
"We will place a static tank in the area as a contingency measure." - NST

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