Lessons Learned: Water Supply to Underprivileged Community

Abstract

A water supply project to an underprivileged indigenous community (also known as “Orang
Asli”) involving an intake structure, HDPE pipeline and limestone horizontal roughing filter was
undertaken by Universiti Sains Malaysia in collaboration with other related public agencies and
departments. The purpose of this project is to provide clean and safe water supply for the
community. This is because previous work of this nature that was done by the Perak Health
Department were without any treatment and thus exposes the community to water contaminants
such as Escherichia coli. This paper will discuss on the work involved beginning from staff
mobilisation to project completion. It will highlight some of the strengths, shortcomings and
lessons learned from the project, particularly in the aspects of community engagement,
volunteerism, readiness, communication, budgeting and other technical problems.