Gual Ipoh: 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 highlighted that the clean water supply issue, 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 area.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bahari pointed out that Gual Ipoh’s hilly and elevated terrain often results in low water pressure and frequent disruptions to the tap water supply from Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB). This has led residents to construct 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.
Bahari mentioned that he had proposed the construction of a high-capacity water catchment area during the previous State Legislative Assembly sitting. 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 also noted that assistance was extended to the affected areas to oversee and support the development of the mini dam system. The South Kelantan Development Authority (KESEDAR) 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.
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.