KUCHING: Sarawak is exploring new technologies in wastewater treatment.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak has embraced environment-friendly technologies to ensure that the approach to wastewater treatment supports the broader environmental goals.
“For instance, the state government is in the process of developing a new centralised sewage treatment plant in Bintulu while exploring potential of generating bio-gas as a renewable energy source.
“Meanwhile, the Kuching Centralised Sewerage System employs conventional activated sludge technology. Through the sewerage system, we reduce the strain on our freshwater resources and underscore our commitment to sustainable water management practices,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the opening ceremony of Borneo International Water & Wastewater Exhibition & Conference (BIWWEC) 2024 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Wednesday.
Abang Johari said that wastewater could be treated and transformed into reusable water.
“Cycle water has many uses. It means that the water economy is cyclical. I was intrigued by a process where water is cleaned and the residue — the waste material — contains many microsomes and can be used as a carbon storage material.
“And from that carbon, because it’s porous and full of holes, it can be turned into fertiliser to enrich our soil.
“So from there, we see that water, particularly wastewater, becomes part of an economic community that supports agriculture, especially for vegetables,” he added.
Abang Johari emphasised that treated wastewater can also serve as a carbon storage solution, helping to prevent carbon release into the atmosphere.
“Sarawak should explore these technologies further and align them with the state’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to build an economy focused on water resource management,” he said.
Abang Johari said the water reservoirs at Bakun, Murum, and in the near future Baleh Hydropower will provide huge areas for floating solar installations which can be utilised with pumped hydro energy storage.
“This huge potential of solar resources can be used to pump water and subsequently utilised to generate power during unavailability of the sunlight, thereby providing additional and sustainable energy for Sarawak.
“This not only addresses our water management needs but also supports our goals of sustainability and energy efficacy,”said Abang Johari.
