BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS & ABIDGAIL MERTA GANGGANG
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Non-revenue water (NRW) caused by pipe leakage is a critical issue that requires attention.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi said that the lack of proper utility corridors for distribution pipes in the past resulted in NRW.
“In order for it not to happen again in the future, we need to make sure that we have special utility corridors so that leaking pipes would not happen,” he said during the press conference after the officiating at the Samarahan division Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB)’s new office at Kota Samarahan yesterday.
NRW could cost major problems for consumers and water thefts, so Julaihi urged everyone to ensure treated water reaches consumers domestically, commercially, and industrially.
Julaihi also spoke about ongoing water supply projects in the district, including construction and completion of distribution main, booster station, and high-level water tank in Asajaya and transmission water main from Batang Sadong to Simunjan.
The remaining five projects would cost RM274.6 million, added to the completed 18 projects costing RM207 million, bringing the total cost of water supply projects in Kota Samarahan to more than RM400 million.
According to him, the state government is serious about providing treated water to rural people, and he hoped for additional funds from the federal government.
“We want to implement these water infrastructure projects, and as we reach the year 2030, we have at least enough water supplies, 20 per cent margin reserve, and the grid for all of the treated water that we bring from one water treatment plant to another,” he said.
