JANS working towards reducing the NRW to below 60 per cent - Shahelmey

KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah State Water Department (JANS) is working to reduce the non-revenue water (NRW) rate to be below 60 per cent to overcome water supply problems throughout the state.

Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the department's current challenge is not only the increasing demand for water supply but also the NRW case, especially due to water theft.

"So an integrated mechanism or movement needs to be made to deal with the problem and to restore water supply, JANS is actively doing improvement work to reduce NRW from 60 per cent to a lower percentage.

"If we can succeed in this by the end of this year, the water supply that should be available and can even be enjoyed by consumers outside," he told reporters when met at the Ramadan Iftar Ceremony with the As-Sakinah Orphanage, Media Partners and OCN24 at the Sabah International Convention Center (SICC) here on Friday night.

He also said that through the program to reduce the NRW rate, the department was also able to detect areas suffering from water pressure problems.

"So with the system in place, the department officers will be able to take appropriate action to restore the water supply.

"However, for the case of water theft, this is a slightly different matter. What we need is enforcement and perhaps a mechanism whether we do meter pumps or the like. This is being considered by a committee," he said.

When asked what assurances JANS could give regarding the water problem ahead of Aidilfitri, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the matter had already been informed to the relevant departments to ensure that the rationing of water supply could be carried out in an orderly manner.

"If there are areas experiencing low water pressure, they can inform JANS through the department's careline for appropriate action, we will see if we are able to send help such as a water truck," he said.