MIRI: Thousands of residents here and in neighbouring districts are being urged to prepare for water supply disruptions of up to 36 hours when Sarawak Water undertakes major repair operations on one of the city’s key transmission pipelines next week.
The planned works, scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm on June 10 at Mile 7 along the Miri-Bintulu Road, will involve repairs to a critical section of the main water pumping pipeline that supplies large parts of Miri and its surrounding areas.
The operations come after engineers detected a suspected leak during routine monitoring and technical inspections.
Investigations indicate that soil movement in the affected area may have exerted pressure on the pipeline structure, raising concerns over its integrity and prompting authorities to carry out immediate remedial works.
Officials warned that water supply disruptions, low water pressure and delayed recovery are expected across dozens of residential, commercial and rural areas during the repair and recovery period.
The works are expected to take approximately 24 hours to complete, followed by another 12 hours for the gradual restoration and stabilisation of the water distribution system.
Recognising the potential impact on consumers, the Sarawak Government has mobilised a multi-agency response involving Sarawak Water, the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), local authorities, emergency services and other relevant agencies.
A coordination meeting chaired by Utility and Telecommunication Minister, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, was held to ensure operational readiness, traffic management, logistics support, and public communication measures are fully in place before the repair begins.
Sarawak Water described the intervention as essential to safeguard the long-term reliability and resilience of Miri’s water supply infrastructure.
“This is a necessary preventive measure to ensure the continued stability of the water supply system and to avoid the risk of more serious disruptions in the future,” Julaihi said.
Among the areas expected to experience disruptions are Taman Jelita, Taman Tunku, Riam, Eastwood, Hilltop and Taman Delight, as well as major population centres including Piasau, Krokop, Permyjaya, Tudan, Senadin, Lutong and Kuala Baram.
The disruption is also expected to extend to areas under JBALB’s jurisdiction.
Communities stretching from Kampung Beraya to Kuala Sibuti, as well as Bekenu, Beluru and several settlements along the Pan Borneo Highway corridor, may experience temporary disruptions and reduced water pressure throughout the repair period.
To mitigate the impact on consumers, Sarawak Water has activated a comprehensive contingency plan that includes the deployment of water tankers and the establishment of temporary water collection centres across strategic locations here.
Water tankers will be stationed in areas such as Taman Jelita, Taman Tunku, Riam, Permyjaya, Piasau, Senadin and Lutong to provide emergency water supplies to affected residents.
Meanwhile, temporary water collection centres will be set up at locations including the Lambir Water Treatment Plant, Miri Hospital, Marina commercial area, Centre Point Commercial Centre and several commercial hubs across the city.
Priority assistance will be given to hospitals, healthcare facilities, public institutions and high-density residential areas.
Motorists are also being advised to expect traffic congestion along the Miri-Bintulu Road during the repair works.
One lane at the affected stretch near Mile 7 will be temporarily closed, with a contraflow traffic system implemented to maintain traffic flow while repair crews carry out the operation.
Road users have been urged to exercise caution, follow traffic instructions and allow additional travel time when passing through the area.
Sarawak Water has advised consumers to store sufficient water for essential use ahead of the scheduled shutdown and to use water prudently throughout the interruption period.
Consumers requiring assistance may contact the Sarawak Water Call Centre in Miri at 085-426626 or 085-436626.
