SEBUYAU: The Sarawak Government is strengthening its Northern Region water grid system covering Bintulu, Miri and Limbang to ensure a more stable and reliable water supply across the region.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said the initiative forms part of the state’s broader strategy to develop an integrated statewide water grid system linking treatment plants and supply networks across Sarawak.
He said the Northern Region development includes major upgrades to existing water treatment plants (WTPs), construction of new facilities and installation of pipelines to connect supply networks in the divisions.
“In Bintulu, the government has approved the upgrading of the Nyabau Water Treatment Plant.
“The plant currently has a capacity of 354 million litres per day (MLD), and we will increase it by another 200 MLD,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Ramadan Visit and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme at the Sebuyau Development Hall today.
Once completed, the Nyabau plant will have a total capacity of 554 MLD, significantly boosting treated water supply for Bintulu and surrounding areas.
Julaihi added that the government is also expanding pipeline infrastructure to improve distribution to nearby areas including Niah, where additional pipe installation works have been approved.
At the same time, a new water supply plant is being constructed in Tubau, located near Bakun Junction, with construction work progressing according to schedule.
In Limbang, the Trusan Water Treatment Plant has been approved for upgrading alongside ongoing pipeline installation works aimed at strengthening water supply distribution within the division.
“These projects are part of our effort to connect supply systems and strengthen the northern water grid,” he said.
Julaihi noted that the Northern Region grid forms one of three major water supply regions in Sarawak, alongside the Southern Region and Central Region, which are also being developed through similar infrastructure upgrades and interconnection systems.
He said the integrated grid system will enable treated water from various treatment plants to be distributed across wider areas, improving supply reliability and resilience.
“Once these upgrades, new plants and pipeline connections are completed, the Southern, Central and Northern regions will have sufficient and more reliable water supply,” he said.
The projects are part of the Sarawak Government’s broader RM4.6 billion water infrastructure programme, which includes treatment plant upgrades, construction of new facilities and extensive pipeline installations throughout the state.
Julaihi said the ministry, through the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and Sarawak Water, is accelerating the rollout of treated water infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where coverage still lags behind urban centres.
Meanwhile, the programme also incorporated community outreach initiatives, with 240 asnaf recipients receiving food baskets and 150 children presented with duit raya.
It also marked a milestone for Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd, representing the company’s first participation in the ministry’s annual Ramadan CSR initiative following the strategic merger of the Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB) and LAKU Management into a single entity.
