A TOTAL of nine projects had been approved to address the water supply problem in Sibu.
Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said demand for water had increased due to the development and growth in Sibu.
“The approved projects are the upgrading of the Salim Plant from 150MLD to 300MLD, programme to reduce unreported water loss in Sarawak Phase I under Sibu Water Board, overhauling the distribution system in Sarawak Phase II, also under SWB.
“Apart from that, the projects also include the pipeline extension from old Ulu Oya to Sibu West, and construction of the Sibu West storage tank, laying of distribution mains along Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce.
“Laying of dedicated mains from Teku booster station to Jalan Teku Pasai and construction of Rantau Panjang storage tank, proposed laying of 160mm HDPE pipe to Rh Anggau, Tengah Sungai Pasai Siong off Mile 15, Jalan Oya, Sibu.
“Proposed construction of ground tank at Sibu West booster station, Sibu; and proposed pipe replacement at Jalan Sungai Maaw and Bawang Assan, Sibu.”
He said this is response to Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek) on the solution for low water pressure and the high rate of water supply interruption in Sibu during the question-and-answer session at the DUN sitting on Thursday.
He added that the projects would improve the quality of water supply services in both urban and rural areas to cater to demand by 2033.
Dr Abdul Rahman also pointed out that out of the nine projects, the major one would be the upgrading of the Salim Water Treatment Plant (WTP) from 150MLD to 300MLD under Phase 3, estimated to cost RM300mil.
“The scope of these projects also includes the construction of the new Salim raw water intake, including the installation of 22km pipelines to the Salim WTP, rehabilitation of the existing Salim WTP, and installation of 6km distribution pipelines from Salim WTP to Bukit Lima WTP.
“The feasibility study for this project had been completed. Currently, detailed design is in progress and targeted to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.”
He also shared that the construction would commence early 2024. “With a 30-month construction period, the project is expected to be completed by 2026. This upgrading of Salim WTP is in line with the Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan and Water Grid, as it will be one of the anchor plants in the Central Region.”
