SIBU: The Salim Water Treatment Plant upgrade work is now at over 60 per cent progress and is expected to increase the treated water supply capacity to residents here upon completion next year.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the project is among the Sarawak government’s key initiatives in ensuring an adequate and continuous supply of clean water to the people.
“The Salim Water Treatment Plant, which currently has a capacity of 150 million litres per day, is being upgraded to double its capacity to 300 million litres per day.
“The work is still ongoing and is more than 60 per cent completed.
“We understand that some of the additional capacity can be utilised before the end of this year,” he said during an official working visit to the Acute Water System project site in Sungai Sadit, West Bank, here today (May 4).
Julaihi added that the increased capacity of the plant will have a major impact on the water supply system here, including reducing disruptions and accommodating increasing demand.
Meanwhile, he said the Sarawak government was also implementing various other projects under the Sarawak Water Master Plan and the Sarawak Water Grid System to strengthen water supply infrastructure throughout the state.
He said the efforts involved the construction of new plants, upgrading existing facilities, and non-revenue water (NRW) reduction programmes, including the replacement of 2,740 kilometres of obsolete pipes.
“Overall, these projects showed very satisfactory achievements with a completion rate of more than 93 per cent,” he said.
Commenting on the Sungai Sadit area, he said the Acute Water System, which was implemented as an interim solution, was now benefiting about 1,850 households.
He said that feedback from local residents also showed their satisfaction with the water supply currently received, while waiting for the plant and other infrastructure upgrade projects to be fully completed.
“So, this project is still ongoing. Therefore, for the time being, we are using the Acute Water System as an interim measure while waiting for the project to be fully completed.
“This is one of the Acute Water Systems found throughout Sarawak, and Sungai Sadit is one of them,” he said.
According to him, the residents of Sungai Sadit are very fortunate to have this system that is functioning well.
“It has also been very well received by the users, and we have all heard the feedback, especially from the local residents,” he said.
Julaihi, who is also Sebuyau assemblyman, assured that the government is committed to ensuring that all Sarawakians, including those in Sibu, enjoy an adequate and quality supply of treated water.
Among those in attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Jafri Lias, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd Malseni Jamal, Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, Sibu Division Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman, and Sibu Rural District Councillor Kevin Lau.
