In brief
Electrical disruptions hit two water treatment facilities in Tutong on November 7 and 8, leading to water supply interruptions in parts of Brunei‑Muara and Tutong. The Public Works Department is investigating the cause, advising residents to conserve water and has positioned blue water tanks for emergency relief. The incident follows a previous major power outage in October that also affected water treatment levels.
Electrical interruptions on Nov. 7 and again in the early hours of Nov. 8 knocked out two water treatment plants in the Tutong district, according to a press release from Brunei’s Public Works Department (PWD). Residents in parts of the Brunei‑Muara and Tutong districts have reported water supply disruptions since the outages began.
The PWD said the affected plants have been unable to continue normal operation due to the loss of electrical power. It is “carrying out further investigations to determine the exact cause and to take the necessary measures to restore electricity supply and normal plant operations.”
During the investigation, the department has advised the public to use water wisely. Blue water tanks have been placed at several locations to assist affected residents and to provide emergency water supplies while full functionality is restored.
These disruptions follow a significant power outage that swept through Brunei in October, described by a report from Free Malaysia Today as one of the country’s worst. The earlier event “affected public services and businesses” and was reported to have reduced treated water supply to approximately 80 percent.
While the PWD works to resolve the power and plant issues, residents are encouraged to ration water usage and to stay informed through official channels. The department’s statement emphasized that once the supply lines are restored, normal water services will resume.
For Brunei, maintaining uninterrupted water treatment is critical, as the plants rely on continuous electricity for filtration, disinfection, and distribution. The recent power interruptions underscore the interdependence between energy and water infrastructure and highlight the need for resilient utilities capable of withstanding supply disruptions.
