News

Big Allocation To Ensure 100 Per Cent Water Supply Coverage Throughout Sarawak

MIRI, Nov 17 — The Sarawak government, through the Utilities Ministry, has made detailed plans and prepared a big allocation to ensure that there will be 100 per cent water supply coverage throughout the state.

Sarawak Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the ministry has allocated RM8.28 billion to implement 606 water supply development projects in the state from 2017 to 2021.

He said the implementation of the projects relied on two strategies, the Sarawak Water Grid System and the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply Programme (SAWAS).

“Currently, 231 projects have been completed, 227 are still being implemented and 148 are in the planning phase. The water supply projects have to be carefully planned, as they are costly, to ensure the ministry’s vision of achieving 100 per cent water supply coverage by 2025 is realised,” he told Bernama.

He said the current water supply coverage in Sarawak was 84.3 per cent, with 99 per cent in urban areas and 66.5 per cent in rural areas.

Dr Rundi said currently the Sarawak Water Grid System main plan was made according to zones, with the south zone under the supervision of the Kuching Water Board (KWB), the central zone under the Sibu Water Board and the north zone under the Northern Region Water Board (LAKU).

“We planned to combine all agencies into a single entity…it means all water supply agencies in Sarawak would be under a single authority, the Sarawak Water Authority, hence, will give a more comprehensive planning impact,” he added.

The most important thing in the planning of this grid involved four main components, water supply, water treatment plants, delivery systems and consumer prospects, he said.

“In the South zone, for instance, we have water sources from the Bengoh Dam that can produce two million litres of water daily that is treated at Batu Kitang water treatment plant and then channeled using high level tanks or water pumps up to Sebuyau (about110 kilometres from Kuching),” he said.

Meanwhile, SAWAS, is a Sarawak government initiative, implemented  through the Rural Water Supply Department, to provide water supply to isolated settlements and areas in the interior that have yet to obtain clean and safe water supply.

SAWAS is the best reverse-osmosis technology used to treat water from nearby rivers to supply clean treated water to local residents.

Dr Rundi said since development of water supply through the grid system took years to complete, the SAWAS programme was implemented to provide treated water for the community in the remote areas.

To date, he said , the state government has supplied a total of 56,044 units of water tanks worth more than RM76 million.

“For the Sebauh area in Bintulu alone, a total of 10 longhouses (Rh)  involving 339 doors, have received water supply through SAWAS. Among them are Rh. Banta, Rh. Unchau, Rh. Alip Long Unan, Rh. Irai Anak Gaseng, Rh. Enteri Anak Andeng and Rh. Ampie Anak Egang, involving cost of about RM42 million,” he added.

Sources: BERNAMA

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

TV Sarawak Is Leveling Up, From Kuching to the World with Spotlight 25/26

Since its debut in 2020, TV Sarawak (TVS) has been rewriting what it means to… Read More

13 hours ago

Skechers Steps Up the Game with New Basketball Collection

Skechers, The Comfort Technology Company™ and a global leader in lifestyle and performance footwear, has… Read More

13 hours ago

LexisNexis Brings AI Legal Sidekick to Malaysia with Protégé

Move over Suits, the future of law just got an AI upgrade. LexisNexis has officially… Read More

14 hours ago

BJAK Turns Insurance Renewals into Rewards with RM100,000 Mega Giveaway This 10.10

Renewing insurance and road tax is often a last-minute hassle, but BJAK, Malaysia’s largest online… Read More

18 hours ago

SHANTEA Dessert Opens First Outlet at Mid Valley, Serving Malaysian Culture Through Sweet Creations Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

Malaysian flavors stepped into the spotlight today as SHANTEA Dessert officially opened its first outlet… Read More

19 hours ago

Energea Powers Up Malaysia with Bold Tangerine Collection and Next-Gen Hybrid-Solid State Powerbank

Energea, the lifestyle-driven power solutions and tech accessories brand, has officially introduced two groundbreaking innovations:… Read More

19 hours ago

This website uses cookies.