KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Taman Bukit Mulia in Ampang Jaya have resorted to taking matters into their own hands over the frequent water cuts plaguing them and other Klang Valley folk.
They have begun sourcing their own water supply, relying on a nearby waterfall when their taps ran dry.
The alternative water source has benefited more than 200 people, said its residents association president Amin Osman.
"The idea came about when the area was hit with water disruption a few months ago. We agreed to crowdfund and build our own pipeline to the waterfall.
"We have seen how the residents, especially the elderly, were struggling back then when the water tankers didn't come to our places for days. When the water tankers did arrive, it was a long queue under the hot sun," he told the New Straits Times today.
Amin said the pipeline was installed last month via teamwork once the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council had given their approval.
"We met the Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin and the (then) MPAJ president Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain to seek approval.
"But, we did not need to seek for any financial help from either party as the cost to build the pipeline was manageable... it was only about RM1,200."
Amin was upbeat to see the alternative water source had helped a lot of people, seeing as how it could fill a big water container in less than a minute.
"We understand how tough it is to have water disruptions over and over again. This month alone, we've faced water disruptions twice!
"And this alternative water source is available to everybody from near or far. We're doing as much as we can to help people in need.
"We are now turning a vacant piece of land into a city orchard. Everybody can come and harvest the fruits or the vegetables, not just the residents," he said.