A TOTAL of RM247 million has been set aside to upgrade and replace old pipelines across Sarawak this year.
Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the amount is part of the RM1.085 billion Alternative Funding allocation for the phased implementation of the programme.
He said temporary repairs by water supply agencies are only carried out on leaking sections due to limited maintenance funds.
“Over 2,742 km of old and worn-out water pipelines are still in use in the water distribution system throughout Sarawak.
“This is one of the main causes of the high non-revenue water (NRW) rate, averaging 43 per cent.
“Old pipes such as asbestos cement (AC) pipes are prone to breakage, causing disruptions in water supply to consumers,” he said during his winding-up speech today.
On the same note, Julaihi said that the water supply coverage throughout Sarawak is currently at 85.4 per cent, adding that a total of 85 per cent of projects under the Water Supply Grid Programme for Stressed Areas, or 259 projects, have been completed.
Meanwhile, he said 35 projects (12 per cent) are under construction, and 10 projects (3 per cent) are still in the planning stage.
Julaihi was optimistic that these initiatives would have a significant impact on addressing serious water supply issues, especially in rural areas throughout Sarawak.
“This programme has also helped boost water supply coverage, particularly in rural areas, from 61.9 per cent in 2018 to 70.5 per cent so far.
“My ministry will continue to intensify efforts to achieve full water supply coverage in Sarawak by 2030 in line with the Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan and Water Grid.
“An estimated allocation of RM20 billion is required to achieve this target,” he added.
