BETONG: The Sarawak government, through the Utilities and Telecommunications Ministry and the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), is ramping up efforts to improve the water supply system in the Kabong, Kalaka and Krian state constituencies to meet increasing demand.
This commitment is demonstrated through two major initiatives: the construction of the Acute System at the Lichok Water Treatment Plant, and the Kabong District Water Supply Project (Package 1), both fully funded by the state government.
The Acute System project at the Lichok Water Treatment Plant, which began in February, is currently in its early construction phase and has achieved 42 per cent completion – 10 per cent ahead of schedule.
The RM28.8-million project is slated for completion by October 2025.
It includes the construction of a new treatment facility with a capacity of 10 million litres per day and a five-kilometre HDPE pipeline (450mm in diameter) linking the plant to the Bukit Lebur elevated tank.
Upon completion, the project is expected to benefit more than 6,700 households, significantly improving water consistency and reliability in the three constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Kabong District Water Supply Project (Package 1) has been allocated RM107.5 million, and covers major infrastructure works across several key locations.
These works include building large-capacity water storage tanks at Bukit Lebur, Simpang Nyabor, Kabong and Lubok Nibong, as well as installing pipelines to connect these tanks to surrounding villages.
The project also features the installation of a twin submarine pipeline across Sungai Krian, a steel pipeline across the Sungai Sebelak Bridge, and an upgrade of the Lichok plant’s capacity from 12 to 15 million litres per day.
Mechanical and electrical enhancements are also part of the package.
According to JBALB, most components of the project are now operational.
However, several elements, including the Lubok Nibong elevated tank, village distribution pipelines, and the submarine crossing, are still in the testing and commissioning phase.
These infrastructure improvements reflect the state’s ongoing commitment to ensuring consistent access to clean, treated water in rural areas, supporting equitable development across Sarawak.
