TUARAN: Residents of three villages in Kiulu had to wade through deep, fast-flowing rivers to repair their gravity-fed water pipes.
The pipes, which supply water to 150 homes in Kampung Ranap, Poturidong Baru, and Poturidong Lama, were destroyed in a flood recently.
Also affected was SMK Tun Fuad Stephen.
Rushdi Lusi, 47, a representative of the residents, said that the villagers bore the repair expenses themselves.
"The community has some funds collected by the respective Village Development and Security committees.
"The gravity-fed water pipe was a government contribution, while maintenance is done communally by the villagers," he said.
He added that the repair work took a long time because the damaged pipe was located on the riverbank which had been eroded by the flood.
"Residents had to take precautions in reconnecting the broken pipe for safety due to the dangerous location," he said.
However, with their experience and community cooperation, the difficult and challenging task was successfully completed.
Rushdi added that the water supply to residents was expected to be restored after the repair work is fully completed today.
He said that major floods in the Kiulu river occur once every five years, causing destruction to the riverbanks, including the location of the community's gravity water pipe.
Meanwhile, Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who attended the communal repair effort, praised the villagers for their willingness to forgo their regular work for two days to ensure their water supply was restored.
"The unyielding spirit of cooperation has always been the strength and mutual understanding among Kiulu residents," he said.
He emphasised that this approach should be maintained so that every problem can be tackled collectively.