KUCHING: A wide-reaching water supply grid is gradually coming together in Sarawak’s southern region, linking Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong through a network of new and upgraded treatment plants and pipelines.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi outlined the progress during a work visit to the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant today (June 30).
In Lundu, he said, construction of a new treatment plant is underway alongside two transmission and distribution pipe packages, both forming part of the broader grid network.
A similar grid segment is taking shape in Serian, drawing from the Selabi treatment plant, which currently produces 110 MLD.
Further south in Sri Aman, the existing Bayai plant — with a capacity of 53 MLD — is set to be linked to a new facility under construction in Engkilili, which will add 75 MLD once completed.
The connected system will then distribute water onward to Pantu, Lingga and other parts of the division.
“Betong’s Lubau plant, meanwhile, is being upgraded from 30 MLD to 60 MLD and remains on schedule,” he said.
A parallel upgrade has been approved for the Kakiwong plant in Saratok, also from 30 MLD to 60 MLD, with the contractor already appointed and works expected to begin shortly.
Smaller facilities continue to play a supporting role — the Lichok plant, for instance, supplies 25 MLD to Kabong, Saratok and surrounding areas.
Two additional pipe packages are also underway in Betong as part of the same grid expansion.
“The idea is to connect Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Betong into one single grid for the southern region,” Julaihi said, adding that doing so would increase overall supply volume and help stabilise water pressure throughout the area — barring disruptions caused by third-party excavation work, which he noted remains beyond the department’s control.
