However, one of life’s most crucial commodities is now seriously in short supply: water. Despite today rain in the city, very little fell in this area’s catchment and its local storage could run dry in a couple of months unless the rain god smiles.
Despite the veneer of green that is now over the paddocks, one town, Penampang, is having to bring in all its water by truck. Communities and businesses are under unexpected pressure as one of life’s basics runs out.
Most backyard swimming pools have been reduced to puddles of green slime, with neighbours pitted against each other while authorities patrol for water cheats. People whose lawns were green before the recent rain found themselves having to provide an explanation. To head off potential hubris, they put up signs that their garden had been maintained by grey water or tank rainwater.The local council reports fist fights breaking out around some groundwater bores. The bores were provided for stock or garden watering, but people find themselves squabbling over lengthy delays as they wait in line to fill tankers.
The City is Victoria’s second-fastest growing area outside Penampang and some householders who have only recently moved in are calling for a ban on further building until the situation improves.
As Sabahan face the likelihood of level two restrictions, these people are already on what Penampang Valley Water designates level 10. This is the highest level, the equivalent of level four on the scale used by Kota kinabalu Water.
“These restrictions are really difficult to manage. It is particularly hard to get through to some of the city people who have moved up here. They might now be living in the country but their minds are still in Malaysia.”
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