I believe that access to clean water should be prioritised as the country works to achieve a high standard of living as part of the Brunei Vision 2035.
At present, pockets of the Sultanate are still plagued with chronic yellow water issues, made worse during bad weather conditions.
Then, there are the recent supply disruptions that cause a portion of the populace to scramble for clean water.
These issues have been with us for years. The majority has been patiently awaiting a lasting solution, but it seems water supply has remained a problem that we can’t quite shake off.
Not everyone can afford to install a water filtering system at home in order to obtain clean water for bathing small children, washing clothes and cooking. This is especially true for lower income families.
That said, I must applaud the authorities for kick-starting a project to upgrade the water treatment system. Only time will tell if it would solve our current predicament.
It is also my hope that the authorities wouldn’t take advantage of the higher-quality water supply to hike up the utility cost, as it would put the low-income group at a disadvantage, thus leading to other social issues such as poverty.
Once the new treatment plant is in operation, I look forward to seeing proper maintenance works to ensure its longevity. After all, clean water access is what will get us one step closer to the national vision, and efforts must be made to realise the goal.
Local Commentator
