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
60
Percentage %
40
Percentage
20
0
Waste Bad Smell Rats Mosquitoes
Blockage

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
survey The drainage problem is bad
around where I live

I wory about my family's health

100 due to the poor drainage
P
e My family experience health
r 80 problems due to the drainage
c problems
e I feel the cmmunity should help to
n
60 deal with the drainage problem.
t
Drainage system in Brunei are a
a 40 problem
g
e
20 I get annoyed when the drains in
my area are smelly
%
0 I get irritated when my neighbours'
drains are not cleaned
SA A NS D SD

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 100 When my drains are blocked, my family is

responsible for cleaning them
e
When my drains are blocked, I complain to
r 80 the auhority?cleaning company and expect
c them to clen.
Plastic bags, rubbish, dead leaves, and soil
e
n 60 can block the drainage system

t Pouring cooking oil into the sink or drains

w ill not block the drainage system
a
g
40
Mosquitoes and rats are attracted to poorly
e drained areas.
20 Drainage system may get flood.
%
0 My family usually throw s oil dow n the sink
SA A NS D SD

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
I would participate in cleaning
100 campaign of drains in my Kampong
P
e I do not mind people having poor
r 80 drainage, as long as my drains are in
c a proper state
I am willing to help my neighbour
e
n
60 clean their drains
t
a 40 We do not clean our drain regularly
g
e
20 The government should handle any
improper drainage system in my
%
property
0 I usually have to get rid of mosquitoes
SA A NS D SD 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
80
c To clean the drain blockage
e
n
60 To complain to relevant people

t Participate in cleaning campaign

a 40 To help others in cleaning
g
e Get rid of mosquitoes
20
%

0
Willing Not Not sure
willing

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

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