Klang Valley residents fed up with water disruptions

Residents collecting water from a water tanker during a water disruption in Subang Jaya in December. -NSTP/File pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Klang Valley residents are seeing red over the multiple water disruptions since March.

Noorliani Mohamad Noor from Taman Pelangi here said she and neighbours panicked when they learnt about the unscheduled water supply cut yesterday.

"It was so sudden. We are clueless on what to do. We only heard that there was pollution (in Sungai Selangor).

"Usually, we will be notified earlier about the disruption so that we can stock up on water," she told the New Straits Times yesterday.

Norrasmawani Kamaruddin from Bestari Jaya, Selangor, said taps at her home had run dry since yesterday morning.

"It will be difficult for my family if the water cut goes beyond 48 hours. With two kids at home, how are they going to shower and how will I cook dinner or breakfast tomorrow?

"It has been a day and there are still no updates on when the water supply will resume. What is going on?"

Damansara resident K. Girija, 67, said the Selangor government should step up and tell the truth.

"I have been calling the Air Selangor hotline since morning. The operators just told me to download all the applications to stay updated.

"Can you imagine turning away senior citizens who are confused as to why there are no updates on what is going on?

"We paid our bills and I believe we deserve to be given hourly updates. Tell us, what has caused the pollution? Is it chemical pollution?

"And with Covid-19, how do you expect people to come out and queue up to stock up on water? It will be impossible to practise physical distancing. It is irresponsible if the old folk, whose kids are living faraway, have to come out for that. It is putting their health at risk."

For 23-year-old Puchong resident Azrief Syazwan Abd Razak, the water disruption was expected as he noticed that the water pressure at his house dropped on Wednesday night.

"The low water pressure did not just happen at my house. It hit my neighbourhood.

"We have been stocking up on water from the nearest public water pipe since last night (Wednesday)."

He said he was annoyed as the water disruption had been happening so often, especially since the middle of March.

"I have lost count of the number of times that this has happened. This is terrible because it is a hassle for all of us.

"Apart from the water disruption, even when the water supply is working, the water itself is smelly. I am very unhappy with this situation." - NST