KOTA KINABALU: The newly completed six tube wells at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will only serve as an alternative during water supply disruptions.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the wells were slightly delayed due to design changes.
Initially, the RM5 million project was scheduled for completion in March.
"I would like to inform you that the six tube wells have been completed. We are now conducting a trial run to ensure the water supply meets our expectations.
"However, I want to emphasise that what UMS and the Higher Education Ministry are doing is merely an alternative in case the Water Department's supply is disrupted.
"These are similar to generator sets used during power outages," he told the media after inspecting the wells at the campus.
Mustapha, who is also the Sepanggar member of parliament, said the wells could provide about 1 million litres per day (1 MLD) if they operate correctly.
He added that storage tanks have also been placed in the student residence areas.
UMS has about 16,000 students, half of them staying in campus dormitories.
It is understood that the water demand for students and staff is 5 MLD.
"The water supply issue at UMS has persisted for some time. Rapid development, especially in Sepanggar, and the unchanged water capacity at Telibong and Moyog plants have worsened the situation.
"The construction of the Pan Borneo Highway also caused the main pipe to burst, affecting the supply.
"However, the ministry does not want UMS students to be affected, especially during critical times such as examinations, as we were once students ourselves.
"As the Sepanggar member of parliament, I have always interacted with the Sabah Water Department whenever someone contacts me about problems.
"Just send me the information, and I will forward it to the department. So far, the department's response has been good."