LUNDU: The Sarawak Government is committed to improving infrastructure and expanding water supply in Lundu district and Sematan sub-district to meet growing demand for clean, sustainable water.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said the state government has approved a number of water infrastructure projects worth over RM291 million to enhance the supply of clean water and resolve low water pressure issues in Lundu and nearby areas.
Among the major initiatives, he noted, is the construction of a new water treatment plant with a daily capacity of 20 million litres (MLD), estimated to cost RM130 million and currently in the process of appointing a contractor.
He also highlighted the development of a 164-kilometre water pipe grid system of various sizes throughout the Lundu District, including the Sematan sub-district, with an estimated cost of RM150 million, as one of the most significant components of the overall effort.
“When this project (the grid system) is completed, it will form a water supply system in the Lundu District and establish a water grid system in the area, which will then be connected to the existing grid system in Bau, in the Kuching Division.
“This means we will be creating a water supply source in the Kuching Division that not only involves the existing water supply in the Lundu District but will also receive water from Batu Kitang, effectively forming a grid system in the Kuching Division, which will be part of the southern region’s grid system,” he said.
He said this during a press conference following a visit to the Sematan Water Treatment Plant on Thursday.
In addition, Julaihi said that the Sematan Water Treatment Plant, which has been completed, currently supplies 4.3 million litres of water daily to the Sematan sub-district, along with several smaller plants that collectively provide around 10 million litres of water per day.
He explained that while the Lundu District already has a water supply, the new plant is necessary to ensure a more stable water supply system.
He also revealed that there is an allocation of RM129 million from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) involving water-related projects, but these projects are currently being re-tendered.
“We hope this project can be implemented soon as it will become a part of our grid system, particularly in the Lundu District,” he said.
Also present were Opar Assemblyman, Billy Sujang, and Tanjung Datu Assemblyman, Azizul Annuar Adenan.
