PAKAN: The Sarawak Government has drawn up several short- and long-term action plans to address water supply issues affecting rural communities here.
Adviser in the Office of the Premier of Sarawak (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development), Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said the measures are being implemented in stages to ensure residents’ basic needs are met.
The Pakan state assemblyman said among the solutions being considered is the installation of water pressure booster systems to improve supply pressure in areas that frequently experience disruptions.
“For areas that still do not have distribution pipes, residents will need to wait for the implementation of the next phase of the water supply project that has been planned by the government.
“However, I am confident that no one will be left behind as the existing Bayong Water Treatment Plant will be expanded, in addition to the development of a new water treatment plant in Gerugu,” he said when officiating at the ‘Leaders with the People’ programme at Seliang Kunjan on Friday.
Mawan added that once the expansion of the Bayong plant and the construction of the new facility in Gerugu are completed, water supply is expected to reach more residents, including those in the Buku area.
He explained that one of the main challenges in implementing water supply projects in rural areas, particularly in hilly terrain, is the construction of distribution pipe networks, which require more complex infrastructure works.
“The construction of the main water supply pipeline falls under the responsibility of the federal government, while the distribution pipes are managed by the Sarawak Government.
“Nevertheless, the Sarawak Government is prepared to take over the implementation of certain projects in order to expedite the resolution of water supply issues in the affected areas,” he said.
