Jalan BU1/14 folk want condo to have separate sewerage system

RESIDENTS of Jalan BU1/14 in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, want the developer of a nearby condominium project to build a separate system for sewerage.

Located behind Jalan BU1/14, the condominium’s sewerage pipes are to connect to the ones in Jalan BU1/14.

Resident Lim Yan Chang, 65, who is an architect by qualification, said the sewerage network in Jalan BU1/14, which was more than 30 years old, might not be able to take the extra sewage load from the condominium.

“A backflow may occur because of the overload,” he said.

“If the pipes crack, this will lead to sewage leakage.

“All of us will be inconvenienced.

“We don’t want other developers to connect their sewerage pipes to ours.

“Ideally, developers should build independent sewerage networks for their projects,” Lim added.

Lim: Jalan BU1/14 pipes are old and may not be able to take extra sewage load.

BU1 Benaria Residents Association (BU1BRA) chairman Danny Lee said residents were requesting that the developer build a separate piping system along Jalan Melati, the road where the developer’s office is located.

“The developer gave us a document showing the sewerage plan’s piping routes during a meeting on Jan 6,” he said.

The meeting between the developer and BU1BRA was held to allay residents’ fears over the sewerage project.

“We understand that tapping the pipes in Jalan BU1/14 is the cheapest option available to the developer and the government.

“However, a separate piping system should be built in Jalan Melati,” said Lee.

When contacted, One East Damansara director Tan Aik Huat said the sewerage pipes were being constructed based on Indah Water Konsortium’s (IWK) guideline.

“The guideline recommended that we tap the pipes of the nearest existing system, which happens to be the one in Jalan BU1/14,” he said.

“We were told that the existing system can cater to extra load from the 65-unit condominium.

“The condominium project is 80% complete and it is not possible to switch to a new sewerage plan at this stage,” he explained.

Some 30 residents gathering at the Jalan BU1/14 park on Dec 28 for a discussion with IWK, One East Damansara and MBPJ regarding the proposed sewerage pipe plan.

Tan said IWK’s guideline was presented during a meeting on March 1, 2023, attended by then Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Danny Chan, IWK representatives and residents.

Chan, who confirmed this, said IWK presented the condominium’s sewerage masterplan at the meeting.

“MPBJ approved the construction of the sewerage network even before the meeting was held, but it was met with protests from residents.

“After the meeting, I raised the issue with MBPJ so that IWK and its consultants could re-evaluate the feasibility of the plan.

“They reverted with the same conclusion, saying the plan was feasible.

“I have asked IWK and its consultants to send evaluation reports to the residents to clarify details,” he said.

When contacted, IWK corporate communications department personnel Melissa Norris said IWK had proposed the guideline to serve the “best interest” of the government.

Former MBPJ councillor John Leong, who represented Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin at a meeting with residents in December, is hoping for better transparency.

“The developer and related government agencies should properly communicate their plans to prevent confusion among residents.

“For example, in this case, IWK should have informed residents of its reason for approving the piping proposal in advance so that residents don’t misunderstand and feel frustrated,” said Leong.