Project Spotlight: Clean and Treated Water Supply for Kg. Rungus Nahaba (Underground Gravity System)

Project Title:
Bekalan Air Bersih dan Terawat Mudah Alih di Kg. Rungus Nahaba, Tuaran: Teknologi Hijau – Sistem Graviti Bawah Tanah

Managed By: Pembinaan Kiawayan Sdn. Bhd.
Innovation Partner: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
Funder: Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) via the Malaysia Social Innovation (MSI) Grant
Location: Kampung Rungus Nahaba, Kiulu, Tuaran, Sabah
Project Duration: July 2020 – Early 2021 (7 Months)
Project Cost: RM197,595.00
Status: 100% Completed

Overview:
This flagship project, managed by Pembinaan Kiawayan Sdn. Bhd. in close partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), introduced an innovative, portable treated water gravity system to the rural community of Kg. Rungus Nahaba, Tuaran. Designed to serve 30 households, the system delivers clean, drinkable water directly to homes using natural gravity flow and membrane filtration — without any need for electricity.

The project was funded through the Malaysia Social Innovation (MSI) grant under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), and represents a model of sustainable, community-empowering infrastructure.

Key Objectives:

• To deploy a green technology water supply solution requiring no external power source.

• To empower the local community through the creation of a village-led management system for long-term operation and sustainability.

• To showcase how science, technology, and innovation can directly solve socio-economic challenges in rural Sabah.

Key Features:

• Membrane Filtration Technology: Clean water is achieved through membrane-based filtering integrated into the gravity flow system, allowing villagers to consume water directly from taps.

• Underground Gravity System: Utilizes elevation and natural pressure — with zero reliance on electrical or fuel-powered pumps.

• Community Empowerment: UMS facilitated the formation of a village management committee to oversee and maintain the system, enhancing local ownership and ensuring long-term viability.

• Portable and Scalable: Designed to be adaptable for other remote areas in Sabah.

Impact:

• Clean and treated water access provided to 30 households in Kg. Rungus Nahaba.

• Reduced reliance on water collection and improved household hygiene.

• Empowered villagers through skill-building and self-governance of a user-friendly, sustainable system.

• Strengthened cross-sector collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

Milestones and Recognition: The project was officially launched during a Knowledge Transfer Programme event attended by key stakeholders, including:

• Datuk Jahid Jahim, Sabah Rural Development Minister

• Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment

• UMS representatives including Prof Madya Dr Ramzah Dambul (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) and Dr Gaim James Lunkapis (Project Head)

This initiative also aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan and the 12th Malaysia Plan, highlighting innovation as a driver of rural transformation.

Legacy:
As the first gravity-fed water project managed by Pembinaan Kiawayan Sdn. Bhd., Kg. Rungus Nahaba now serves as a blueprint for future rural development initiatives. It reflects our company’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, meaningful partnerships, and community-centered solutions.