PRESS RELEASE

Repeated Pipeline Damages by KUTS Contractor Cause Water Supply Disruption

Kuching, 24 July 2025 – Kuching Water Board (KWB) regrets to inform the public that two pipeline damages caused by Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) contractors have occurred within five days, disrupting supply to parts of Samarahan.

The most recent incident involved a burst 12-inch asbestos cement (AC) main pipeline near the traffic lights at Jalan Wan Alwi on 22 July 2025. This follows an earlier damage on 18 July 2025 involving a 200mm ductile iron (DI) main at Desa Ilmu, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa. These repeated incidents have disrupted water supply and caused low pressure, particularly affecting consumers in the Tabuan Jaya, Samarahan area and surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

KWB has repeatedly cautioned KUTS contractors to exercise extreme care when carrying out excavation or construction near existing water infrastructure. Despite these warnings, the recurrence of such incidents reflects a serious lack of vigilance, coordination, and on-site supervision.

KWB strongly urges the KUTS project proponent and its contractors to take full responsibility for these disruptions and to implement stricter safety and damage prevention measures during underground works. Negligent excavation not only damages vital public utilities but also imposes unnecessary hardship on thousands of residents.

KWB appreciates the public’s patience and understanding as restoration efforts are carried out. We remain committed to minimising disruption and ensuring the continued reliability of the water supply system.