Urban water supply systems face significant risk factors, particularly within tropical climates, where aging infrastructures and extreme weather pose threats to both quality and availability of water. The recent study conducted on the urban water supply system of Brunei-Muara district sheds light on this concern, pinpointing Zones D2 and D6 as extremely high-risk areas due to frequent leaks exacerbated by flooding.
The Brunei-Muara district, which spans 571 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 459,500, has encountered numerous challenges affecting its water supply infrastructure. The study highlighted the adverse impacts of heavy rainfall coupled with low elevation and aging pipes, particularly those with smaller diameters, which are more prone to failures. Monthly average leaks reported were alarming, with D2 experiencing up to 880 leaks and D6 at 471.
Water supply systems worldwide are under immense pressure as anthropogenic activities and climate change increasingly threaten access to safe drinking water. It’s estimated by the United Nations (UN) report published recently, approximately 2.2 billion people currently lack access to safe drinking water, leading to exacerbated cycles of poverty and health crises, such as the 1.4 million diarrheal deaths attributed to unsafe drinking water.
Data collected from the Department of Water Services (DWS) detailed infrastructure performance from 2015 to 2020 and assisted the researchers from Brunei Darussalam to conduct this risk assessment. By identifying potential areas susceptible to water leaks, the team employed various models to determine risks associated with the urban water supply system.
"The risk assessment method of using a risk matrix and weightage is helpful for analysing risk for urban water supply," stated the authors of the article. Their work emphasizes the need for immediate action within high-risk zones to address structural vulnerabilities, ensuring the safety and accessibility of water supply.
Flooding is noted as one of the leading causes of pipe failure. Not only do these events increase leak occurrences, but they also threaten the quality of drinking water, leading to health risks for the local population. Analysis from the study revealed correlations between recorded leaks and the incidence of waterborne diseases, underlining the importance of maintaining infrastructure integrity to safeguard public health.
Areas identified as high-risk were not only plagued by flooding and heavy rain but also by the effects of climate change, which has resulted in unpredictable weather patterns. The climate conditions prevalent throughout the year impact the durability and performance of the existing pipe network. Generally, ductile iron pipes have been identified as particularly susceptible to failure.
The Bruneian government has begun exploring innovative solutions to mitigate these risks, including the use of technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for real-time monitoring of water quality, pressure systems coupled with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. “Regular monitoring should also be conducted,” emphasized the researchers, advocating for upkeep to improve the longevity of infrastructure.
Further contextualization of Brunei’s water system challenges reveals its higher consumption levels than neighboring countries, where averages range closer to 200-250 liters per capita per day. Despite efforts to reduce consumption levels due to unsustainable usage practices, the target of reaching 290 liters by 2035 remains aspirational against the backdrop of growing population demands.
Concluding, the study's findings cast light on the complexity of managing urban water supplies amid challenging climate conditions and infrastructure resistance. "There is a need to improve flood mitigation and control to manage the water pipeline in those areas," the authors emphasized. For Brunei, adopting processes for leak detection and increasing resilience against flooding are pivotal measures for ensuring long-term sustainability.