SRI AMAN: Several projects worth a total of RM170 million are being planned to address water shortages here.
Assistant Minister for Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said the projects included long and short-term initiatives to address water shortages especially during dry seasons.
“The Department of Rural Water Supply (JBALB) has come up with a long-term plan to pump water from Batang Ai into Batang Lupar which supplies raw water for the Bayai Water Treatment Plant here.
“This is because the existing raw water source would dry out during prolonged drought. A proposal on the project has been forwarded to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for Cabinet approval,” said the Simanggang assemblyman when met here yesterday.
Harden said JBALB will conduct a detailed study on the proposed project expected to cost RM140 million.
“In the meantime, for the short term plan, we want to develop high-level storage tanks in four locations namely SMK Simanggang (RM7.5 million), Sri Jaya (RM10 million), Pakit Camp (RM2.5 million) and Simpang Klassen (RM10 million) so that even in dry weather, consumers will be assured of sufficient water supply.
He revealed that the chief minister has agreed in principle to the construction of these four projects subject to preliminary studies by JBALB.
Harden said the Sri Aman Division Disaster Management Committee has agreed to provide three additional water treatment centres at Lingga, Seduku-Stumbin and Pantu to address current water shortages in the areas.
Many areas in Sri Aman Division have been facing water shortages over the past few weeks because of the prolonged drought.
