KUALA LANGAT, Feb 20 — After nearly three weeks without water, eateries and restaurants in Bukit Tampoi are forced to serve their customers food on styrofoam plates and bowls.
At the expense of customer satisfaction, Zamidah Bujan said the absence of water has forced her to use disposable plates.
“We simply cannot waste water on washing. Whatever water we have is used for cooking or drinks,” she said.
However, Zamidah said the district rehabilitation centre had been helping her by giving her extra water.
“The centre has been helping out although it is facing the same situation,” she said.
Following the temporary closure of the Bukit Tampoi water treatment plants, some desperate owners have turned to other families or hiring their own transport to have water supplied to them.
The rehabilitation centre also helps other eateries in the area by giving them surplus water.
Surti Mohammed Ismail, 46, has reopened her shop after it was closed for a week because of water shortage.
“I had no choice but to reopen. I do not think I can afford it if the water disruption lasted too long,” she said.
Although Syabas has been delivering water to the affected areas, Sarinah said she had to depend on her sons to get fresh water supply.
“My two sons have been getting water from Bukit Changgang, which is 20 minutes away, everyday so I can operate my shop,” she said.
“The rental here is RM1,800 a month and I’m worried that if the dry spell continues, I might not even be able to make enough to pay the rent.”
Fikrulzaman Sallehaudin, 34, said he was left with no choice but to hire transport to send clean water to his restaurant.
“In the past week, I have spent RM100 a day to have a lorry deliver water in containers to my shop,” he said.
“The cost is rising but how am I supposed to support my family if I close the shop?
“The stall is all I have to support my family of five and I cannot close it down, even for a single day.”
