Problems

Water quality was decreasing to a state where the water was not safe for swimming. Rubbish was accumulating along the riverbanks, making the environment unhealthy for human habitation. Figure 1 and 2 demonstrate the extent of the water pollution in Kampong Ayer.

Rubbish washed up onto the shore.

Rubbish floating in open water shore.

Local journalist Ignatius Stephen wrote about the loss of one of Brunei’s most cherished cultural sites, Kampong Ayer, previously dubbed Venice of the East, due to the poor water quality.

Newspaper cutting about rubbish floating at Kg Ayer.

(Published in Borneo Bulletin: Friday 8th November 2002)