Improper Drainage in Brunei Darussalam
Problems:
Most of the large drains in Brunei are fairly well maintained. However some drains, especially the smaller ones, are very poorly maintained. Drains are blocked and clogged up with a variety of materials such as silt or plants or rubbish and these blockages are not removed or tended to, impeding the flow of water. The obvious problem is air pollution as the smell from the dirty clogged up drains is repugnant. Furthermore, the stagnant water provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents, which is not only unsightly but also unhygienic and unsafe for the public as rats can carry plague and mosquitoes can spread malaria. Blocked drains bring about floods as the excess rainwater cannot flow through the drains. Residents know about the consequences of an improper drainage system, but are reliant on the government. They feel that the government should handle improper drainage problems and do not like to act on the problems.
Problems:
Most of the large drains in Brunei are fairly well maintained. However some drains, especially the smaller ones, are very poorly maintained. Drains are blocked and clogged up with a variety of materials such as silt or plants or rubbish and these blockages are not removed or tended to, impeding the flow of water. The obvious problem is air pollution as the smell from the dirty clogged up drains is repugnant. Furthermore, the stagnant water provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents, which is not only unsightly but also unhygienic and unsafe for the public as rats can carry plague and mosquitoes can spread malaria. Blocked drains bring about floods as the excess rainwater cannot flow through the drains. Residents know about the consequences of an improper drainage system, but are reliant on the government. They feel that the government should handle improper drainage problems and do not like to act on the problems.
Figure 1 & 2. Photographs showing drains filled with silt and plants.
Possible solutions:
The attitudes of the residents of “no action and talk only” should be changed by explaining to them the importance of a clean, proper drainage system. This could be done through the media such as the radio, internet and newspaper. Residents should be encouraged to maintain the cleanliness of the drains and given instructions on how to clean them, e.g. where to dispose of the built up materials and how often drains need to be cleaned. Government authorities could be asked to enforce strict regulations on proper drainage. Relevant authorities could be encouraged to perform regular check-ups on drainage systems.
Actions taken:
Articles were sent to local newspapers to inform the public of the importance of keeping drainage systems clean and free of built-up material. The project members organised and performed maintenance of drains near their own homes. Project members wrote to government authorities to enforce strict regulations on members of the public that did not maintain the cleanliness of drainage systems around their neighbourhood.
Actions taken:
Articles were sent to local newspapers to inform the public of the importance of keeping drainage systems clean and free of built-up material. The project members organised and performed maintenance of drains near their own homes. Project members wrote to government authorities to enforce strict regulations on members of the public that did not maintain the cleanliness of drainage systems around their neighbourhood.
