World Water Day: Hidden Waters
Adzmin Fatta, Green Semporna
*Green Semporna acknowledges support from the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme for the IKLIM Project on Mabul
“It was possible to directly drink from the wells before there was a lot of tourism activities. But now the water in the wells is salty and cannot be consumed. We have to buy drinking water from Semporna town to survive.”
Mabul Island, a picture of “Semporna” (Perfection). Photo Credit: Green Semporna | IKLIM Project 2020-2022.
Mabul Island is situated in Semporna, Sabah. It is a world-renowned tourism destination with rich marine biodiversity, pristine oceans, and mesmerizing underwater scenery well deserving of the name “Semporna” (perfection). Pre-pandemic, half-a-million tourists were drawn by the beautiful ocean waters to the island each year. However, the ecological pressure placed by these numbers has jeopardized the drinking water supply of the local islanders. In return, these islanders have received limited financial benefit and largely remain in the B40 community.
The ecological pressure placed by tourists has jeopardized the drinking water supply of the local islanders.
Groundwater wells used to supply drinking needs on Mabul Island. Drawdown and human waste have made the water unfit for consumption. Photo Credit Green Semporna | IKLIM Project 2020-2022.
Rather, the impacts of their activities on the island’s groundwater—and on the islanders—is hidden from them.
The locals on Mabul Island used to rely on wells for their freshwater needs. Now, uncontrolled mass tourism has drawn down freshwater on Mabul Island and salt water has infiltrated the wells. Furthermore, human waste has contaminated the existing well water supply due to inadequate wastewater management, so it is not fit for human consumption. Of course, the tourists to Mabul Island never intended to jeopardize the local water supply. Rather, the impacts of their activities on the island’s groundwater—and on the islanders—is hidden from them. Meanwhile, the tourism industry can easily afford to bring in bottled water from the mainland, but this is a financial burden on the local households who spend between RM 90 – RM 300 a month on water.
Precious, precious water. The cost of water—obtained form the mainland—for households on Mabul Island ranges between RM 90 – RM 300 per month. Photo Credit: Green Semporna | IKLIM Project 2020-2022.
Where the public footprint has created environmental and social harm, a public approach is needed to undo damage and right wrongs. The immediate, urgent need is a safe and affordable drinking water supply for the islanders. Green Semporna is listening to the islanders’ needs and hopes and is working on acceptable alternatives to clean water access. Part of the solution is launching a crowdfunding campaign to install rainwater harvesting systems for 190 households in the local community. In the longer term, we need to find better models for managing island tourism and sharing benefits with local communities—so that environmentally sustainable and socially equitable models of tourism become the norm.
Where the public footprint has created environmental and social harm, a public approach is needed to undo damage and right wrongs.
Mabul Island community consultations on water solutions. Photo Credit: Green Semporna | IKLIM Project 2020-2022.
We need to examine our hidden impacts on the world and people around us and speak up for those without a voice.
It is all too easy to enjoy nature and have goodwill toward our fellow human-beings and yet be unaware of the harm we bring to both. This is true whether we are at home or on vacation. We need to examine our hidden impacts on the world and people around us and speak up for those without a voice. Until then, the “Semporna” (perfection) we experience will only be an illusion, while the water beneath our feet grows salty and bitter.
A heartfelt thanks to our partner:
