KUCHING – Repair work on a burst 840 mm water main along Jalan Tun Jugah was completed at 10.00 pm today, following a major disruption to the water supply earlier in the afternoon.
The incident occurred at about 3.00 pm when the pipeline was damaged during ongoing construction works linked to the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.
The damage caused a significant interruption to the water supply, with approximately 100,000 households affected by the disruption.
Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd, together with the contractor involved, mobilised repair teams to the site after the incident was reported.
The crews worked to seal the damaged section of the pipeline and restore the main supply line as quickly as possible.
Following the completion of the repair at 10.00 pm, water supply is being progressively restored to affected areas.
However, consumers have been advised that normal conditions may not return immediately as the wider distribution network requires time to recover following the interruption.
Water pressure is expected to increase gradually across the affected areas as the pipeline system is refilled and re-pressurised.
Sarawak Water said full and normal water pressure could take between two and three days to return, depending on the time required for the distribution network to stabilise.
Residents may therefore continue to experience lower-than-usual water pressure during the recovery period.
Consumers have also been advised to expect possible changes in water appearance when supply first returns.
Sediment that has accumulated within the pipeline system may become disturbed during the restoration process, potentially causing water to appear cloudy or slightly discoloured.
Residents are advised to allow their taps to run for several minutes until the water becomes clear before using it for cooking or drinking.
Another temporary condition that consumers may notice is air trapped within the water pipes.
As the network is refilled, some taps may produce sputtering or “coughing” sounds as trapped air escapes from the lines.
According to Sarawak Water, this is expected to settle naturally as the water supply and pressure return to normal.
The restoration process is therefore expected to continue beyond the completion of the physical repair, as water needs to move through the affected distribution network and pressure levels gradually recover.
Residents in affected areas are encouraged to remain patient during this period and to monitor their water supply as restoration progresses.
The disruption followed damage to the major pipeline during construction associated with the KUTS project, highlighting the impact that damage to major water infrastructure can have on a large number of consumers.
With the damaged section now repaired, the focus has shifted towards restoring stable pressure and normal water quality across the affected network.
Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd expressed its appreciation to affected residents for their patience and understanding throughout the repair and restoration process.
Consumers are advised to continue allowing the system time to stabilise over the coming days as water pressure gradually returns to normal.
