Drainage Statement Of Problem By Goku

IMPROPER DRAINAGE STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS By Go Ku Introduction The issue about “improper drainage” is not new in Brunei. Probably some areas from all 4 districts in Brunei have had problems or are facing problems from it. From the three letters (refer Appendix A) in the Borneo Bulletin opinion section it can be seen that improper drainage system occurs in Kuala Belait near the sea, in places such as restaurants, housing areas, flats, residential houses, private houses, schools, roads and many more. Most kampongs do have the drainage problems as well. For our report, we are concentrating on the improper drainage system in Kampong Madang-Manggis in the Brunei Muara district. What is improper drainage system? Improper drainage can be defined as having drains with poor maintenance or passageway or circulation. This can include situations such as drain blockage, or drain which leads any substance to the environment, or drain which circulates within an area only. In the case of the Kuala Belait complaint, the orange foam forming at the beach and polluting the water is due to the passage of the drainage system being targeted to the sea without treatment of the waste water first.. One of many scenarios that occur is in restaurants where oily substances are being thrown down the sink which leads to the drainage system. In most restaurants in Brunei, it can be seen that most of their drains contains oily substances; usually from leftover foods being thrown. Oil does mix with water, and after some times it can solidify and this can cause blockage to the drain system. This leads to presence of stinky smells, mosquitoes, or even rats and cockroaches; where it can lead to spread of diseases. Most of the improper drainage could be due to the government or any public sector not providing proper drainage. However the attitudes of the public could make the drainage system not work properly. In some situation, stone or dry leaves or rubbish may block the drain system. In other cases, oily substances being thrown into the drain can solidify and also play an act in drain blockage. In the case of our project, at the Kampong Madang-Manggis, we found that the problems of drainage are mostly due to poor maintenances of the drainage system. Furthermore, we found out that the drains in some of the neighborhood are not made with concrete, which makes the drains more vulnerable to blockage by soils and stones. Some of the drains, though concrete, appear to be covered by lots and lots of tall grasses. This shows that there is a lack of maintenance of the drainage system in the Kampong. In many countries, dumping in the streams, ponds, and the drainage system is strictly prohibited (see for example Section 24.38.060 of the Lincoln Municipal Code in Appendix B).

Why is it a concern? There are many consequences toward the environment as well as the people. Improper drainage system can spoil the scenery of the environment. It can also affect the air pollution by producing bad odor to the environment and can lead to an unpleasant smell which can affect comfort of people living in the surroundings. Improper drainage system can also lead to the spread of insects and rats, which eventually will lead to the spread of diseases. Rats carry plague whereas mosquitoes will spread malaria. Most flooding also occurs due to blockage of the drain. Other concerns are about the pollution through air, land and water. In the Kampong Madang-Manggis area, we found out that flooding occurs in some parts of the area. Some drainage which have tall grasses have a potential of breeding place for mosquitoes, because dirty water can be seen blocked by this tall grass. Another effect is the air pollution or smell; in some part of the kampong there is stinky smells coming out from the drain. What action had been taken? In our interviews with personnel in the Public Works Department (PWD), we found that , before the completion of any building, Inspection unit from PWD will check whether the drainage system can be approved or not. We also found out that PWD can only take action if any drainage problems are made visible such as in floodings or are brought up in complaints. Sadly few complaints from the public are received by PWD, the complaints usually are voiced in the newspapers. Feedback from PWD informed us that some drainage problems can be taken care of by individuals themselves, rather than relying heavily on the government. In the case of the Kampong Madang-Manggis, from our survey, it looks like most of the people are too reliable on the government. Even though the villages know about the drainage problems and its consequences, no actions have been taken by the people themselves. Some people do take good care of their own drain, but the main problems seen is the maintenance of the main drains in the Kampong. These drains are the ones having tall and thick grasses. This can be seen by the pictures taken by our group (Appendix C)

Results from our survey

Figure 1 : Problems faced by people in the Village 100 80 Percentage %

60 40

Percentage

20 0

Waste Blockage

Bad Smell

Rats

Mosquitoes

Type of Problems

From our survey results, the Figure 1 shows that the highest problems of the people in Kampung Madang-Manggis facing are on waste blockage and mosquitoes. The waste blockage might be due to the uncleared tall grasses that are growing in the drainage system. From this, such circumstances such as bad smell, rats and mosquitoes can occur. As shown from the graph, about 50% of the villager agreed that bad smell are one of the problems they are facing.

Figure 2 :Results from Q1 to Q7 of the The drainage problem is bad survey around where I live

P e r c e n t a g e %

I wory about my family's health due to the poor drainage

100

60

My family experience health problems due to the drainage problems I feel the cmmunity should help to deal with the drainage problem.

40

Drainage system in Brunei are a problem

20

I get annoyed when the drains in my area are smelly

80

0

SA

A

NS

D

SD

I get irritated when my neighbours' drains are not cleaned

Figure 2 shows that many people are agreed that their drainage problem is bad around their area. Also, we can say that the villager still show some concerns with the unclean drains as about almost 80% of the people are agreed that they get irritated when their neighbors’ do not clean their drains.

Figure 3 : Results from Q8 to Q14 of the survey P e r c e n t a g e

100

When my drains are blocked, my family is responsible for cleaning them When my drains are blocked, I complain to the auhority?cleaning company and expect them to clen. Plastic bags, rubbish, dead leaves, and soil can block the drainage system

80 60

Pouring cooking oil into the sink or drains w ill not block the drainage system

40

Mosquitoes and rats are attracted to poorly drained areas.

20

Drainage system may get flood.

%

0

SA

A

NS

D

SD

My family usually throw s oil dow n the sink

Figure 3 shows that people are aware and concern about the circumstances that will create problems to their drainage system. In the circumstances, most villagers seem to be strongly agreed to be responsible for cleaning. From the bar chart above, the light blue indicates that by pouring cooking oil into the sink or drains will not caused any blockage to the drain and there are 80% of people who are aware that by doing so can caused blockage and few of them still not aware on this matter. Through this survey, they will get some information about how the cooking oil can caused blockage

Figure 4 : Results from Q15 to Q20 of the survey P e r c e n t a g e

I would participate in cleaning campaign of drains in my Kampong

100 80

I do not mind people having poor drainage, as long as my drains are in a proper state

60

I am willing to help my neighbour clean their drains

40

We do not clean our drain regularly

20

The government should handle any improper drainage system in my property

%

0

SA

A

NS

D

SD

I usually have to get rid of mosquitoes and rats in my property

Figure 4 shows that the attitude of the individual in dealing with their drainage. From the above results, it shows that many people are still really on the government to handle the improper drainage system in their property. And the results also shows that, there are some people who are not sure whether to involve in the cleaning campaign or not, though the percentage of people strongly agree with the statement is equal.

CONCLUSION Figure 5 : Percentage of people who willing, not willing and not sure about acting on the drainage problems

100 P e r c e n t a g e %

80 To clean the drain blockage

60

To complain to relevant people Participate in cleaning campaign

40

To help others in cleaning Get rid of mosquitoes

20 0

Willing

Not willing

Not sure

From our findings, it can be concluded in Figure 5 above. It shows that the highest percentage is the people who are willing to clean their drainage system and to get rid of mosquitoes by themselves.

APPENDIX A Orange foam on the beach Why is there a newly built big drain leading to Kuala Belait? Is it because now, there's a lot of drainage systems leading to the sea. Apart from the environmental damage, the beach is a beautiful place so why pollute it? I really hate seeing orange foam forming at the beach and the water looking so bad. Isn't there any enviromentalist that can see to this problem out there? Maybe in five years time, the beach will be so polluted that no one will ever want to go there again. I wish there's someone out there to help in this matter. - SIR (Taken from BB opinions in www.brudirect.com)  Spg 112 Jln Pulaie needs urgent attention The area next to my place along Spg 112-2, Jln Pulaie is a huge marshy land with thick vegetation. There is no proper drainage system. As a result, the storm water and the wastewater from the septic tank just flow out and is stagnant. I am very much concerned as the dengue fever has already hit Brunei. Could the relevant authorities take immediate steps to improve the drainage system? Also, the short stretch of road along the simpang is in very bad shape. Could the relevant authorities do something to improve the condition of the road? Thank you. -Concerned Resident - 2020 Image - November 2004 (Taken from BB opinion in www.brudirect.com)

 Many woes down Subok road On behalf of the Subok residents, I would like to thank the government for widening the road as well as the drainage system for our convenience. The works started near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building and I suspected that it willstop at Spg. 287. I wonder will that be an end to the extension as well as for the drainage system. What about the rest of the road after Spg.287 to the new Sungai Akar round about? Most residents would agree with me between these areas, the road was badly maintained. Even a recent touch-up had not helped at all.

My question is why not plan now to broaden the whole of Subok road and with a proper drainage system, so that in future this area would be safe from flooding? I wonder why not the relevant department surveys or performs monthly checks on all of Brunei's roads, so that the roads are safe for us to drive on? I also wonder about the new Sungai Akar round about. Will this be the final finished work? If so, I would like to suggest to the relevant authorities to double check prior to signing-off. It is because the road from Jln Sungai Akar was not properly done. It's uneven and dangerous! We would be grateful if the relevant authorities would look into this matter and take action. -C.Resident -May2005 (Taken from BB opinion in www.brudirect.com)

APPENDIX B Section 24.38.060 of the Lincoln Municipal Code Trash, leaves, dirt, and any liquid other than water are included under this section and should under no circumstances be dumped in sewers, streams or lakes. Improper dumping can be harmful because all of the storm water drains and streams eventually run together into streams and lakes such as Holmes Lake. Any pollutants or other items dumped into the systems will contaminate the system and may plug up the storm sewer systems which could result in flooding. This effect can be seen at Holmes Lake by looking at the water quality and amount of sediment that has collected in the lake. On some of the inlets to the storms drains you will find an anti-dumping logo glued or stamped into the concrete. These are to serve as a reminder to protect our natural resources and to protect yourself from flooding due to drain blockage. (Taken from www.lincoln.ne.gov) APPENDIX C ####