Answer for Written Question PT038

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN requested the MENTERI PEMBANGUNAN to state the measures to control and remediate microbial and organic pollution based on the study by Onifade et al., 2025, which reported an increase in coliform bacteria of up to 1.6 × 10⁵ MPN/100mL at several stations along Sungai Brunei after 2018, particularly those near densely populated areas, due to sewage overflow and inadequate sewerage systems.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan

Some areas of the old Kampong Ayer settlement are still not equipped with a comprehensive centralised sewerage system. Sewage disposal methods in these areas still rely on traditional systems and direct discharge into the river. Several settlements in Kampong Ayer have been equipped with vacuum sewerage systems, including:

• Kampong Lurong Sikuna (built in 2012, ±260 residents)
• Kampong Sungai Bunga (built in 1998, ±723 residents)
• Kampong Bolkiah 'A' (built in 1996, ±979 residents)
• Kampong Bolkiah 'B' (built in 1996, ±1,159 residents)

Overall, it is estimated that approximately 20.5% of Kampong Ayer residents currently benefit from the vacuum sewerage system.

The measures that have been and will be implemented are as follows:

1. Strategic Installation of Floating Debris Boom Traps: These function as physical barriers to trap rubbish (plastics, cans and domestic waste). This measure indirectly reduces the organic pollution load by preventing waste from decomposing in the water, which can serve as a breeding medium for coliform bacteria.

2. Dredging Works: These have been carried out in parts of Sungai Brunei, parts of Sungai Damuan and parts of Sungai Kedayan. The purpose is to restore the rivers’ original volume, thereby enabling the optimal dilution of pollutants.

3. Upgrading Sewerage Infrastructure: The project to upgrade the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under Rancangan Kemajuan Negara Ke-12, particularly in the Gadong and Pintu Malim areas, is being implemented to increase sewage treatment capacity around the Sungai Brunei catchment. The project commenced on 25 February 2025 and is expected to be completed on 24 August 2026, followed by a 12-month Defects Liability Period. The scope of the project includes civil and structural (C&S) construction works, the replacement and installation of mechanical and electrical equipment, improvements to the wastewater treatment system, as well as the integration of an automated monitoring system. The project aims to ensure that discharged effluent meets quality standards, particularly by reducing coliform bacteria levels, as well as to increase the capacity and efficiency of the plants to accommodate future population growth, particularly in urban areas.

Overall, this project will contribute to reducing the discharge of untreated sewage into Sungai Brunei, improving the effectiveness of wastewater treatment, and reducing the organic and microbiological pollution load. This will subsequently help to gradually lower coliform levels, thereby improving river water quality and reducing risks to public health.