Brunei's Sewer Systems: An Underground Network

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia with a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023. Water sanitation management in Brunei is the responsibility of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage/Public Works Department (DDS/PWD) under the Ministry of Development. According to a 2009 report, 92% of Brunei's population is served by the public sewerage system and septic tanks. However, there are challenges with water sanitation in the country, including jurisdiction issues and high infiltration of sewage into the ground due to broken or decaying sewerage pipes.

Brunei's sewerage system

One particular area of concern is Kampong Ayer in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, where approximately 13,000 people live in a cluster of around 40 small villages connected by a boardwalk. Historically, raw sewage was disposed of by dropping it into the water, which primarily affected the health of the local population, particularly those who swam or fished in the same water. With the increasing wealth of the villagers, more problems have emerged, such as detergents entering the waterways and killing fish and other seafood, creating an unpleasant odour that is detrimental to tourism.

The Brunei government has plans to increase the number of houses serviced by sewerage systems, but they face challenges due to the structural integrity of many of the houses. In 1995, the Brunei and Australian governments hired a firm to design and supply a vacuum sewerage system for two main sections of Kampong Ayer. The sewerage was collected into sumps located below the walkways to the houses, with an average of four houses connected to each sump. Vacuum valves were installed in small stainless steel valve boxes attached to the side of the walkways for easy operator access. The pipework was laid directly under the walkways to avoid impeding the passage of residents.

To address water pollution and maintain high-quality water standards, the Brunei government has proposed upgrades to existing monitoring systems and quality management frameworks under the Tenth National Development Plan. They have also introduced legislation to improve watershed protection and manage pollution, constructed reservoirs and dams to prevent seawater intrusion, and utilised hydrological data networks and international cooperation to improve water quality monitoring.

Water sanitation issues

Water sanitation management in Brunei is the responsibility of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage/Public Works Department (DDS/PWD) under the Ministry of Development. As of 2013, 92% of Brunei's population was served by the public sewerage system and septic tanks. However, there are several water sanitation issues in the country.

One pressing issue is the lack of public awareness regarding jurisdiction and maintenance responsibility for water sanitation. This has led to challenges in the construction and maintenance of public sewerage systems, with issues of house connection and the cost of ownership falling to the owners. There is also a problem of damage caused by the public to public sewers, which has prompted the implementation of regulations to protect them.

Another issue is the high infiltration of sewage into the ground due to broken or decaying sewerage pipes. This has resulted in direct sewage discharge into the ground or water courses, affecting 10% of the population who lack proper basic water sanitation.

To address these issues, the government has implemented various strategies. The Drainage and Sewerage Act is in the process of enactment, and the country has also introduced legislation to improve watershed protection and manage pollution. The government plans to enhance water security by updating the forecasted water demand and considering transboundary water supply options.

The Water Conservation Unit (WCU) was created in 2012 to promote water conservation and reduce per capita water consumption. The WCU has set targets for reducing non-revenue water and promoting water-saving habits through various media and educational initiatives.

In summary, while Brunei has made significant progress in providing access to clean water and sanitation for its citizens, there are ongoing challenges related to water sanitation that require continuous efforts and strategies to ensure a sustainable and efficient water management system.

Sewer protection zone

• No person or entity is permitted to carry out any construction or works, either permanent or temporary, within the designated Sewer Protection Zone without first obtaining written approval from the Department of Drainage and Sewerage/Public Works Department (DDS/PWD). This includes any structures, buildings, or alterations that may impact the sewer system.
• The DDS/PWD is responsible for water sanitation management in Brunei, including the maintenance and protection of public sewers.
• Sewer setbacks are enforced, prohibiting the erection of any buildings or structures over or within a certain distance from the sewer lines. This is to ensure that the sewer system is accessible for maintenance and repairs.
• The Sewer Protection Zone regulations aim to safeguard the integrity of the sewer system and prevent unauthorized modifications or constructions that could potentially damage the sewers or impede their functionality.
• These regulations are crucial to maintaining proper water sanitation in Brunei, as unauthorized works within the Sewer Protection Zone could lead to blockages, leaks, or other issues that compromise the effectiveness of the sewer system.
• In the past, there have been challenges with residents cutting or damaging sewer pipes that impede their movement or activities. Educating residents about the proper use of the sewer system and the importance of maintaining its integrity is an ongoing process.

Sewer setbacks

One of the main challenges in Brunei's water sanitation management is the high infiltration of sewage into the ground due to broken or decaying sewerage pipes. This has led to the implementation of various initiatives to improve the situation. For instance, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage/Public Works Department (DDS/PWD) has been working to address these issues under the Ministry of Development.

The Water Sanitation Action Plans of Brunei outline specific strategies to enhance water sanitation. These include increasing river water sampling frequency and stations, improving sewerage laboratory management and practices, and achieving ISO certifications for quality assurance.

Additionally, there have been efforts to promote water conservation and sustainable practices. The Water Conservation Unit (WCU) was established in 2012 with the goal of reducing per capita water consumption. The WCU promotes water-saving habits through various mediums, such as traditional and social media, schools, and partnerships. They also encourage the use of water-efficient devices, sanitary fittings, and rainwater harvesting.

One specific example of sewer setbacks is the case of Kampong Ayer in Brunei's capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. This cluster of around 40 small villages with a population of approximately 13,000 people has presented unique challenges in terms of sewerage systems. While some houses are now connected to vacuum sewer networks, many others remain unconnected. The government has plans to increase the number of serviced houses, but they also face structural integrity issues with some of the older houses.

The complexity of the situation is further exacerbated by the residents' traditional mode of transportation – small boats that have been used to navigate under the houses and around the village for hundreds of years. This has resulted in conflicts with the installation of pipework, leading to pipes being cut by residents. As a result, innovative solutions, such as vacuum sewerage systems, have been designed and implemented by engineering firms.

Septic tanks

Brunei's sewerage system is managed by the Department of Drainage and Sewerage/Public Works Department (DDS/PWD) under the Ministry of Development. According to a 2013 report, 92% of the country's population is served by the public sewerage system and septic tanks.

In 1995, the Brunei and Australian governments collaborated to design and supply a vacuum sewerage system for two main sections of Kampong Ayer, a cluster of around 40 small villages in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The sewerage was collected into sumps positioned below the walkways to the houses, with an average of four houses connected to each sump. Vacuum valves were placed in small stainless steel valve boxes attached to the walkways for easy operator access. All the vacuum mains were laid under the walkways back to the land, where the vacuum pump station and treatment plant were located.

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