KOTA BELUD: The Federal government will soon fund a major study on sourcing new raw water resources to be supplied to the people here.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the study, costing about RM2 million, would take about six months to a year to complete.
Following a second mudslide on July 12 after an earthquake rocked Mount Kinabalu and nearby areas, the Kadamaian river, which supplies 90 per cent of raw water for Kota Belud and Bayayat, was rendered muddy.
"A technical evaluation by Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Sabah Water Department engineers indicate that the Kadamaian river will remain in a polluted state as the mud is still flowing from upstream.
"According to the experts, the water will be left unusable for years,” he said, adding that the ministry would be working with the state’s infrastructure and development authorities to expedite the appointment of consultants to conduct the study.
Before this, the capacity of the Kadamaian river stood about 35 million litres per day.
For an immediate solution to water woes here, the state’s water department will build 25 bore holes, costing RM12 million.
The underground water identification process has been completed and is now pending a consultant report.
Earlier, Ongkili launched portable water treatment units for the people of Kampung Tambulion Laut, here.
The water treatment units, which use French technology, can process three million litres per day to cater for 13,000 people.