Pipe Replacement Program Brings Relief to Kampung Lombong

In an ongoing effort to improve water supply and infrastructure, Air Selangor has successfully completed a critical pipe replacement initiative in Kampung Lombong. For years, residents of this kampung have faced persistent low water pressure, a problem that has disrupted daily life and caused significant inconvenience.

This issue was primarily caused by aging pipes that could no longer accommodate the water pressure demands of the growing community. This challenge is common in older areas like kampungs and new villages with a long history, where outdated infrastructure struggles to keep up with modern needs. The situation often worsens when new property developments are introduced nearby, placing additional strain on the existing water supply system.

To address these widespread challenges, Air Selangor launched the Pipe Replacement Programme in 2016, a comprehensive 30-year strategic plan aimed at replacing 6,000 kilometers of aging pipes across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Kampung Lombong’s upgrade is part of this larger initiative, designed not only to improve water supply services for consumers but also to reduce the occurrence of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) caused by frequent pipe bursts or pipe leaks in aging infrastructure.

Listening to Consumers’ Concerns: Replacing Old Pipes

Kampung Lombong, located in Shah Alam, had long faced low water pressure due to aging pipes. To address this issue, Air Selangor undertook a pipe replacement project in the kampung, which was successfully completed on December 29, 2023.

According to Ketua Kampung of Kampung Lombong, Mohd Pozi, the issue of low water pressure began to emerge 5 to 6 years ago. He believes that the problem may have been exacerbated by new property developments around the village. As new residential areas emerged, the population increased, leading to a higher demand for water that the old pipes could no longer accommodate.

“In the past, the residents frequently lodged complaints with me, and I reported these issues to Air Selangor. The company responded by initiating the pipe replacement project, showing that they were attentive to the residents’ concerns.”

Air Selangor invested approximately RM2.39 million to carry out a 2.3km pipe replacement project on Jalan Jurutera in Kampung Lombong, using ductile iron pipes (DI pipes) with a diameter of 400 millimeters.

Mohd Pozi noted that since the completion of the pipe replacement project, the low water pressure issue has significantly improved, and he has received fewer complaints from villagers.

“Now that the project is fully completed, we are confident that the low water pressure issue in Kampung Lombong has been resolved, and the residents are relieved and grateful for the improved water supply.”

Adam Saffian Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer of Air Selangor, stated, “With the new pipes now in place, over 1,800 accounts in Kampung Lombong can expect a significant improvement in water flow, ensuring a more reliable and consistent water supply. This initiative marks a crucial step toward enhancing the quality of life in the village and is a key component of Air Selangor’s long-term strategy to modernize water infrastructure across the state.”

He added, “Air Selangor’s Pipe Replacement Programme is not just about replacing old pipes; it’s about improving water supply efficiency, ensuring that consumers enjoy a more convenient and reliable service.”

For more information about Air Selangor or to learn about the Pipe Replacement Programme, please visit hydrohub.airselangor.com.

Article Published in Oriental Daily on 1 September 2024.