By Nalina Suria Ravi  nalina@mystar.com.my

Having no water after soaping up can be frustrating

The recent water disruption in Kuala Lumpur has left many frustrated residents, particularly those who were forced to live without water for several days.

Many of the affected were people living in a landed property without spare water tanks to store up emergency water supply in the event of such water disruptions. For those who were residing in older low-cost apartments, they too were affected by the water disruption. 

But those living in condominiums and service apartments, they were still able to enjoy non-stop water supply, thanks to the water tank reserves that are a part of this type of development. 

There was uninterrupted water supply at my family’s unit, said Annisa.

This is one of the reasons why Annisa Liyana, 22, chose to live in a condominium. Her family’s condominium in Saville@Melawati, Kuala Lumpur was largely unaffected despite being in an area that faced the water disruption.

A condominium that provides sufficient water in affected areas will win over other types of properties, she said.

“As one of the affected citizens due to water disruption, my family’s condominium is very conducive since there is a non-stop water supply,” she said. 

Annisa said condominium living is suitable for smaller families as the built-up for these units tend to be smaller than houses, which in many cases tend to be twice the size.

However, big families staying in landed properties need to think ahead to ensure they will have water during water disruptions, she said.

Being unable to do the laundry or even to take a shower is very inconvenient as many have discovered over the last few days. The newer landed property now have rainwater harvesting and water tanks to act as reserves although residents will still need to use water sparingly, she added.

Lanusha prefers landed property despite water disruptions.

Lanusha, 23 who lives at Bandar Sri Damansara, still prefers to live in a landed property rather than a condominium unit even though she was affected by the water disruption.

She was however forced to move into her grandmother’s house in Kelana Jaya as there was no water disruption there. 

If homes have the benefit of having water reserves, then whether there is a water disruption or not, people can still tide over such crisis, she added. 

Lanusha said she could understand the appeal for condominium living during these conditions as she saw this evidence in her friend’s condominium unit, where she could still do her laundry and take regular showers.

She said water is essential for hygiene purposes especially to wash hands frequently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“We have to worry more because there is no chance to maintain personal hygiene effectively without a water supply,” said Lanusha. 

Water is a basic necessity so it can tip the favour to properties that can provide uninterrupted water supply. 

Unless landed properties have their own water tank reserves, condominium properties will become more appealing if more water disruptions occur in the future.

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