HYDROLOGY OF TAMBUNAN AREA, SABAH, MALAYSIA

by

Magid M. Faisal

School of Science and Technology
University Malaysia SabahBureau


ABSTRACT

The population growth in Sabah has resulted in an increase in water demand and shortage of water supply. In Sabah, the tropical climate provides rain(>2000 mm annually) but the present available potable water is hardly sufficient to cover the needs of the population. The recent water shortage in Sabah demands that all possible sources be studied, analyzed, and developed for optimum utilization. A detailed hydrological study is important in assessing the water resources. The study area is situated along the west coast of Sabah, between km 15 to km 38 of Kota Kinabalu, Tambunan Road. Calculation of the groundwater balance helps to show the amount of rainwater available for evapotranspiration, surface run-off, and deep percolation. The results of the present study indicate that the major part of precipitation controlled by evapotranspiration.