Brunei's Water Department: What You Need To Know

Brunei Darussalam has a population of 408,786 people (as of 2014) and an average annual rainfall of 2,500mm along the coast and over 4,000mm in the hilly interior. The country has achieved 100% access to clean and safe drinking water, with 99.9% of drinkable water supplied by the Department of Water Services (DWS) under the Public Works Department (PWD). The DWS is responsible for the development and management of water resources, ensuring compliance with WHO water quality standards, and maintaining engineering standards for water supply practices. The remaining 0.1% of drinking water comes from rural sources.

The Public Works Department (PWD)

The PWD aims to improve the quality of life in Brunei by creating a "Built Environment of Distinction" through the development of buildings, services, and infrastructure. To achieve this, the department utilises its technical capabilities to build infrastructure and offer project management services for sustainable socioeconomic development. The PWD has been essential to the physical growth of Brunei since 1966 and has contributed significantly to the country's development over the past century.

The department is organised into several divisions, each with specific responsibilities:

• Department of Water Services (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Air): This department is in charge of planning, designing, and managing the nation's water resources. It supplies 99.9% of drinkable water in Brunei, with a focus on resource protection and conservation.
• Department of Drainage and Sewerage (DDS; Jabatan Saliran dan Pembetungan): The DDS is responsible for all drainage infrastructure, including planning, designing, maintaining, and constructing it to reduce floods and safeguard coastal areas.
• Department of Mechanical & Electrical (DME; Jabatan Mekanikal & Elektrikal): The DME provides maintenance for government vehicles and equipment, technical evaluations, driving lessons for staff, and also handles mechanical and electrical installations, maintenance of buildings, and event preparations.
• Department of Building Services (DBS; Jabatan Perkhidmatan Bangunan): The DBS oversees the administration, planning, designing, and construction of buildings. It also manages basic furnishings, demolishes abandoned structures, and assists with national events and renovations.
• Department of Development (DOD; Jabatan Kemajuan): The DOD manages projects, including client projects and landless housing projects, by guiding their implementation from Pre-Design to Post-Completion.
• Department of Roads (Jabatan Jalan Raya): This department is responsible for the planning, building, and administration of the country's road network, including the construction of roundabouts, traffic signals, and overpasses.

The PWD has played a critical role in accomplishing Brunei's national goals, such as the Wawasan Brunei 2035, by ensuring the availability of essential infrastructure and services for its citizens.

Water Services Department (DWS)

The Water Services Department (DWS) is a department within the Public Works Department (PWD) in Brunei. The PWD is a government department under the Ministry of Development (MoD) responsible for the development and maintenance of infrastructure in Brunei.

The DWS acts as the Water Authority in Brunei and is responsible for the development and management of the country's water resources. It provides a safe, reliable, and sufficient water supply that complies with the WHO's water quality standards to the public. The department is also in charge of maintaining engineering standards for water supply practices in the country.

The DWS supplies 99.9% of potable water in Brunei, with the remaining 0.2% sourced from rural areas. The department places emphasis on resource protection and conservation, and it plays a crucial role in planning, designing, and managing the nation's water resources to ensure sustainability and meet future demands.

To address the issue of high water consumption, the DWS has implemented strategies such as integrated planning and development, the adoption of alternative funding mechanisms, and promoting water conservation through events like World Water Day on March 22.

The DWS also undertakes various activities to promote prudent water use and ensure efficient water management. These include carrying out water demand and supply studies, enforcing relevant legislation, conducting water resource studies, and constructing necessary infrastructure like barrages to prevent saline intrusion and regulate river flow during droughts.

Water quality and treatment

Water supply management in Brunei is the responsibility of the Water Services Department (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Air) under the Ministry of Development. The Public Works Department (PWD) supplies 99.9% of potable water, with 0.2% sourced from rural areas. The Department of Water Services is tasked with planning, designing, and managing the country's water resources to ensure sustainability and meet future demands.

The majority of Brunei's drinking water comes from its four river basins: Daerah Tutong, Kuala Belait, Temburong, and the Brunei River. Surface water accounts for about 99% of the water used for all purposes in the country. Despite being used for various activities, including transportation and waste disposal, the Brunei River has remained relatively unaffected due to its natural self-purification capacity.

However, water quality in Brunei is at risk of declining if no action is taken. The country faces challenges in wastewater management, river water quality, water security, and water resource management. High levels of water pollution in the Brunei River have been attributed to wastewater treatment plants, industrial discharge, and polluted streams. Population density and urban catchment systems have been identified as the primary reasons for the pollution in rivers, particularly the Brunei River. Point and non-point pollution sources, including residential, industrial, and agricultural outlets, are the main contributors.

To address these issues, Brunei has implemented several strategies. The government provides wastewater treatment services at no cost to the public and has introduced legislation to enhance watershed protection and manage pollution. The country has also constructed reservoirs and dams to prevent seawater intrusion and regulate river flow. Additionally, Brunei has adopted the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) framework to manage its water resources effectively.

To improve drinking water quality, six government treatment plants are located across the country. Private water treatment plants are also operated by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and Brunei Shell's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Bottled water factories utilize advanced water technology to purify drinking water for the local population.

Under the Tenth National Development Plan, the government has proposed upgrades to existing monitoring systems and quality management frameworks. Water conservation and sustainability measures have been suggested to maintain the supply and distribution of clean water. New designs focusing on riverside development and integrated water resource management plans have been unveiled, including the construction of new water infrastructure such as drainage systems and treatment plants.

Brunei has also utilized hydrological data networks, secured international cooperation from countries like Singapore, and improved water quality monitoring. The country is committed to maintaining high water quality standards to meet the changing demands of its growing population and rapid industrial development.

Water security and sustainability

Brunei's water security and sustainability are managed by the Department of Water Services (DWS) or the Public Works Department (PWD) under the Ministry of Development. The DWS/PWD is responsible for planning, designing, and managing the country's water resources to ensure sustainability and meet future demands.

The country has a tropical climate with high humidity and an average annual rainfall of 2,500mm along the coast and over 4,000mm in the hilly interior. Brunei's water supply mainly comes from its four river basins: Daerah Tutong, Kuala Belait, and Temburong, with the Brunei River being a significant freshwater source for the western region.

To maintain water security and sustainability, the DWS/PWD has implemented several initiatives. These include:

• Carrying out water demand and supply studies to ensure timely construction of water supply dams and treatment plants.
• Enforcing acts such as the Land Act, Town and Country Planning Acts, Water Act, and Environment Acts to protect water catchments from pollution.
• Constructing barrages to prevent saline intrusion and regulate river flow during droughts, addressing the potential impacts of climate change.
• Promoting water conservation through public awareness, installation of water-efficient devices, and rainwater harvesting.
• Enhancing water quality monitoring with new laboratories and additional parameters.
• Constructing reservoirs and dams to prevent seawater intrusion and manage river flow.
• Utilizing hydrological data and international cooperation to improve water management.

Brunei has reported 100% access to clean and safe drinking water for its population, with six government treatment plants maintaining good drinking water quality. However, challenges remain in wastewater treatment, river water quality, and water resource management. The country aims to improve access to sanitation and ensure these achievements are sustained in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Water-related challenges and costs

Brunei faces several challenges in the areas of wastewater, river water quality, water security, and water resource management. The country's water supply comes primarily from four river basins: Daerah Tutong, Kuala Belait, Temburong, and the Brunei River. While these rivers provide ample water, extended dry periods can negatively impact them, necessitating the construction of dams and reservoirs to ensure a reliable supply.

The Water Services Department (under the Public Works Department) is responsible for addressing these water-related issues. They manage and protect the nation's water resources, and as of 2024, they provide 99.9% of the population with clean drinking water. However, the total annual estimated cost to address all water-related challenges is $35,964,228. Here is a breakdown of the costs:

• Access to Drinking Water: $7,147,407 (20%)
• Access to Sanitation: $6,327,215 (18%)
• Industrial Pollution: $16,495,568 (46%)
• Water Management: $5,994,038 (17%)

To tackle high-water consumption, the government has implemented three strategies:

• Integrated planning and development: Creating a data-sharing platform.
• Alternative funding mechanisms: Reducing dependence on government funds and increasing financial robustness for water projects.
• Water balance: Addressing non-revenue water, reviewing water tariffs, and promoting water conservation.

Additionally, the government plans to enhance water security by studying the feasibility of supplying water from the Temburong District to the Brunei-Muara District.

Frequently asked questions