SAMARAHAN: Two water tanks with a combined capacity of 38,000 litres per day have been installed and are now operational at Kampung Sungai Mata, benefiting 315 households.
Utilities and Telecommunications Minister, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said the tanks provide a permanent source of clean and treated water for the village.
“Each tank holds 19,000 litres, and these are specifically dedicated to Kampung Sungai Mata.
“Although four tanks were delivered to the site, two are sufficient for now, providing 38,000 litres per day for 315 households. If necessary, the remaining two tanks can be added.
“I have requested Sarawak Water to continuously monitor the system to ensure it operates smoothly, with no further complaints from residents or from the Village Development and Security Committee (KMKK),” he said during his working site visit in the area today.
He confirmed that the system is already operational and highlighted that it will serve as a pilot project to address water supply challenges in remote areas.
“Kampung Sungai Mata is among several villages in the Samarahan Division that previously faced water supply challenges.
“In the division, apart from a small water treatment plant with a capacity of only 3.5 million litres per day, local sources are limited. In Simunjan, when the water level drops,the small plant there cannot meet demand,” he said.
He stressed that the division is not lacking water as it receives treated water from the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant, the main facility in Kuching near Samarahan.
“The plant has a capacity of 868 million litres per day and is currently being upgraded by another 100 million litres, reaching 968 million litres per day by October.
“We are expanding supply to Samarahan and have increased the water supply from 23 million litres per day to 47 million litres per day through our pipeline network in Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Sebangan, Sebuyau and Simunjan.
“This means there is sufficient water supply and strong water pressure. Continuous inspections are carried out to ensure water reaches users. That is why Samarahan requires backup,” he said.
He added that efforts are ongoing to identify new raw water sources, including Tebedu, Serian, where evaluations are ongoing, and Sebuyau, where sufficient water sources have been identified to build a new plant as a backup to Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant and the Slabi Water Treatment Plant.
“In Lundu, a plant with a capacity of 20 million litres per day has already begun implementation.
“In other areas, we are building a grid system that will connect the entire water supply network across the Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman and Betong Divisions,” he said.
