KUCHING, Sept 4: The new water mains installed at the Sg Asap Resettlement Scheme is of higher quality compared to the previous ones, according to Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, who was briefed by staff of Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) of the new water mains during his visit to the Sg Asap Water treatment over the weekend.
During the briefing, Kennedy said, in comparison to the older pipeline distribution system (HDPE PN10) in Sg Asap, PVC-O PN16 pipes were installed for the new distribution system and is rated for higher water pressure of 16 bars, while the existing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes can withstand pressure of 10 bars.
He added that the Sg Asap new pipeline distribution system that is currently undergoing construction and is expected to be completed soon is using the Oriented Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC-O) pipe material which is Sirim ISO 16422 certified (PC002014) and approved under the National Water Service Commission (SPAN) and the Water Supply Authority (WSA) of Sarawak for water supply purposes.
“JBALB is aware that the frequent pipe bursts were mainly from the old distribution system (HDPE), and not from the new pipeline system (PVC-O), which happened during the migration of the communication pipes from the old pipeline to the new pipeline system.
“During this migration period, the old pipelines cannot be decommissioned fully as they are still serving the Sg Asap community,” Kennedy told DayakDaily yesterday.
He reiterated that the old watermains could only be decommissioned after 100 per cent of the migration works of the communication pipeline is completed.
“The older distribution pipeline is more prone to bursting due to higher pressure caused by water loss of the aging pipeline. Several pipe burst incidents also happened within consumer internal water piping systems during the migration period, before adjustment of pressure reducing valve (PRV) is made,” he explained.
Kennedy and JBALB staff made a site visit to Sg Asap to investigate the complaint by local community leader Pemanca Tony Kulleh who had told DayakDaily recently that the new water mains installed in Sg Asap could be of inferior quality as it often burst and affected water supply in the resettlement area.
The first-term assemblyman added that to improve consumers’ internal piping systems, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had approved an allocation of RM1 million for the purpose during his recent visit to Sg Asap.
Meanwhile, Kennedy also recommended that JBALB should provide 24-hours security service at the Sg Asap water treatment plant and the high lever water storage tank area.
“I also hope that JBALB will station competent and committed staff to ensure that both the water treatment plant and the high lever water storage tank area are secure and functioning smoothly for the benefit of the local consumers,” he said, adding that currently the population Sg Asap is estimated to be more about 15,000 people. — DayakDaily
