SELAYANG: Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) has incurred losses of up to RM211,324 in only 557 days due to illegal pipe extension in Bukit Botak, Bandar Baru Selayang.
In an operation conducted by Syabas officers yesterday to disconnect the water supply, the culprit was identified as the contractor of 1,422 units of double-storey houses here, a revived PKNS project. Syabas was acting on public complaints of low water pressure in the nearby housing area of Bukit Botak.
During the raid, it was discovered that the contractor had extended Syabas's S-bend pipe with 100m of 25mm poly-pipe to supply water to the construction area.
Syabas corporate communications and public affairs assistant manager Priscilla Alfred said they had earlier investigated the construction site on Aug 13 and found that there was no bulk meter registered with Syabas.
"We discovered that water supply from the illegal extension was channelled to the workers' quarters and some of the houses that were being constructed.
"On March 10, our enforcement had issued a compound notice with a fine of RM78,000 and encouraged them to register a bulk meter with us. They, however, ignored the notice.
"We issued a second notice to the site manager from the main contractor's company. However, he had claimed it was done by one of his seven sub-contractors," said Alfred.
She said that this case will be forwarded to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), to be referred to court under Section 123(3) of the Water Services Industry Act 2006, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or a year's jail or both.
The site manager claimed he was unaware the water supply connection to his workplace was illegal. "We only gave instruction to tap water from the neighbourhood but with payment," he said. Alfred also stated that between Jan 1 to Sept 10, Syabas had received 2,558 complaints from the public.
"From that, only 519 genuine with losses amounting to RM5.58 million. Presently, 154 cases have been referred to SPAN for further legal action," she said.
The public can lodge reports on illegal water extensions to Syabas using the 24-hour toll free line 1-800-88-5252 or SMS to 39222.
