ESTABLISHING WATER CATCHMENT AREA WILL ADDRESS GUAL IPOH'S WATER WOES - ASSEMBLYMAN

By Azli Shafii

TANAH MERAH, May 22 (Bernama) -- The establishment of a high-capacity water catchment area is expected to resolve the longstanding water supply issues faced by residents of several villages in the Gual Ipoh state constituency, said its assemblyman Bahari Mohd Noor.

He said the issue of clean water supply, along with the villagers’ reliance on 'air tandak' - water collected from a small dam built on a hill - affects not only Kampung Peralla 1 but also several other villages in the constituency.

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“Gual Ipoh is a hilly and elevated area, which often results in low water pressure and frequent disruptions to the tap water supply from Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB). As a result, residents have been forced to build their own mini dam systems to meet daily needs.

“Apart from Kampung Peralla, other villages facing similar issues include Kampung Tok Che Do, Kampung Bukit Durian, Bukit Telaga, Ulu Kusial, Bukit Pauh, Kampung Batang Bergedik, and several others that rely on hill water sources,” he told Bernama recently.

Bahari said he had proposed the construction of a high-capacity water catchment area during the previous State Legislative Assembly sitting.

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“The proposal involves constructing catchment areas in Ulu Bertam and Lata Hujan, both located near Gual Ipoh, as these areas have suitable rainwater catchment potential.

“This water reservoir or dam is crucial to ensure a continuous and reliable water supply, not only for residents of Gual Ipoh, but also for nearby villages facing the same issue,” he said.

According to him, assistance was also extended to the affected areas to oversee and support the development of the mini dam system.

“The South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR) also contributed by distributing PVC pipes to residents. However, the ‘air tandak’ system faces challenges during heavy rain, drought, and disruptions caused by wild animals such as elephants,” he said.

He added that most villages affected by water supply issues have formed their community committees to manage and maintain the mini dam systems.

Recently, Bernama reported that residents in Kampung Peralla 1 in Tanah Merah have long struggled with a clean water supply, with more than 100 families relying on a self-built ‘air tandak’ system, which is frequently disrupted by weather and costly maintenance.

With most residents working as rubber tappers or construction workers, many are forced to buy mineral water for daily use, further straining their living costs. They are hoping for the government to provide a more sustainable and reliable water supply to improve their quality of life.

-- BERNAMA