KUCHING: Residents in the Stumbin and Tanjung Bijat areas of the Sri Aman Division have been experiencing intermittent water supply disruptions after demand grew beyond the capacity of the local Stumbin Water Treatment Plant, which can only produce 0.65 million litres per day (MLD).
To bridge the shortfall, Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) has been channelling an additional 2 MLD from the Bayai Water treatment plant through a pipeline stretching roughly 35 km to Stumbin.
According to the press statement released on Monday (Mar 16), field inspections by JBALB’s technical team identified pipe leaks and maintenance works along the transmission main as the primary cause of recurring interruptions.
The situation has been further complicated by an ongoing road-widening project in Bandar Sri Aman carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD), as a large section of the supply pipeline falls directly within the construction corridor.
Any pipe burst during earthworks, or any valve closure for repairs and interconnection works, risks cutting supply to both affected areas.
Among the most significant incidents was the rupture of the original 350mm ductile iron main at the Jalan Astana construction site, which has since been replaced with a diversion pipe of the same diameter.
However, the rerouted alignment through hilly terrain introduced a new risk of air locks, prompting JBALB to install double air valves at the diversion to prevent flow blockages.
An alternative diversion pipe has also been constructed near Peace Park on Jalan Astana to further stabilise the distribution system.
Water tanker trucks have been deployed to make direct deliveries to affected households while repairs are ongoing.
Centralised water collection centres have also been set up at several strategic locations to allow residents to collect water until normal supply is restored.
JBALB thanked residents for their patience and reiterated its commitment to restoring supply as quickly as possible.
Residents may contact the JBALB Call Centre at 082-262211 for complaints or enquiries, and updates will be shared through the department’s official channels.
