KOTA KINABALU: Tube wells can be a stop-gap measure to prepare Sabah for severe droughts forecast next year given the problems in its water infrastructure, says a think tank.
Institute of Development Studies (IDS) chief executive officer Prof Dr Ramzah Dambul said tube wells might be the quickest solution to meet the water needs in the event of a severe El Nino drought.
“We still don’t have technologies to mitigate drought. And we can’t alter the climate either. So the only way to deal with it is by preparing to ensure water supply will sustain,” said Ramzah.
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He was asked for his views on the National Water Research Institute (Nahrim) projection of a severe drought next year, which could be worse than the current dry spell this year.
Nahrim projected up to 30% less rainfall nationwide and states with high populations like Selangor, Penang, Johor and Sabah will be the most affected.
Ramzah, who was an Associate Professor with Universiti Malaysia Sabah specialising in climate issues, said that tapping ground water through tube wells has its environmental concerns.
“It is best for the state to get feedback from geologists and hydrologists to advise and locate suitable ground water areas for tube wells,” he said, noting that tapping ground water is commonly done in Saudi Arabia.
“In my opinion, it is feasible and an effective short-term measure that can be implemented in six to eight months, and will not cost too much,” he added.
Ramzah said that depending on the area, a tube well could typically cost about RM250,000 or less.
Sabah is currently seeing an El Nino-induced severe hot and dry spell since February this year, with authorities expecting its water reserves to hold for another two months.
One water dam in Tawau’s Pulau Sebatik has already dried up.
The drying up of rivers also saw Papar’s Limbahau water treatment plant shut down after seawater flowed 13km upstream, triggering high water salinity.
Papar, with a population of about 150,000 people, declared a drought emergency last week.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had said that the state Water Resources Council would hold a meeting today to discuss various issues on water security.
Meanwhile, water engineer Datuk Dr Amarjit Singh said Sabah had never previously looked at sourcing ground water as it had sufficient surface water to meet their needs.
“There is enough surface water and measures should be taken to conserve the available water by ensuring efficient distribution to consumers,” said the former Sabah Water Department director.Amarjit said that long-term solutions in setting up coastal reservoirs were both environmentally prudent and effective compared to large water dams.
He said the concern about large-scale tube wells was that it could affect the natural water table level and dry up.
