A total of 18 acute water treatment plants have been put into operation across Sarawak to provide additional supply in areas facing critical water shortages.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the plants contribute an additional capacity of 102.2 million litres per day on top of existing water treatment facilities.
The plants are located in Sematan, Lundu, Puncak Borneo, Serian, Lingga, Maludam (including a second plant serving Beladin), Pusa, Spaoh, Lubau, Lichok, Temadak, Sungai Sadit, Kanowit, Nibong Tada, Daro, Song and Long Lama.
He said the acute water treatment plants serve as an interim solution while awaiting the completion of the state’s water grid system and major treatment plants planned under the Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan.
“The initiative is intended to address supply shortages in critical areas by providing additional water to meet current demand.
“Efforts to improve supply in the affected areas will continue,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Julaihi who is the Sebuyau assemblyman added that six more acute water treatment plants are being implemented in Sebangan, Sebuyau, Balai Ringin, Pakan, Rantau Panjang and Suai.
“This is to meet rising demand in those areas,” he said.
On the same note, he said the Sarawak government is actively carrying out programmes to upgrade and replace 2,740 kilometres of ageing and deteriorating water pipelines.
He said the ministry is targeting at least 118 additional projects to begin construction this year.
“The projects involve an allocation of RM1.1 billion and are being implemented in phases over five years from 2024.
“To date, 39 projects have been completed, 31 are at various stages of construction, and 196 are in the pre-contract stage,” he said.
