By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, May 18: Under Sarawak’s water laws, the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and Sarawak Water are only responsible for supplying treated water up to the main meter of a premises, while all internal piping systems, storage tanks, pumps, and maintenance after the main meter fall under the responsibility of property owners, management companies or management committees.
In his ministerial winding-up speech, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi cited the Water Ordinance 1994 and Water Supply Regulations 1995, which he said are the legislation that provide the legal authority to govern the water supply system in Sarawak.
“Under these laws, water supply agencies are responsible for providing treated water supply in Sarawak up to the main meter of every premises, such as houses, apartments, flats, shop lots, military camps, public and private universities, schools, hospitals, and clinics.
“This means that JBALB and Sarawak Water are only responsible up to the main meter,” he said at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
The installation and maintenance of pipelines after the main meter into the premises, he said, are the responsibility of the property owner, management company, or management committee, which includes internal piping systems, storage tanks, pumps, and related equipment for distributing water to consumers.
“This is a fact that must be understood by all parties to avoid confusion in the future. Therefore, JBALB or Sarawak Water should not be blamed when leakages occur after the main meter,” he said. — DayakDaily
