By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 19: Doubling the Salim Water Treatment Plant’s (Salim WTP) capacity from 150 MLD (megalitres per day) to 300 MLD is one of the nine approved projects to address the issues of low water pressure and constant water supply interruption in Sibu.
Utility and Telecommunications Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the project is estimated to cost a total of RM300 million.
The scope of the project includes the construction of a new Salim raw water intake which involves the installation of a 22km pipeline to the Salem WTP, the rehabilitation of the existing Salim WTP and the installation of a 6km distribution pipeline from Salim WTP to Bukit Lima WTP.
He said the feasibility study for this project had been completed and currently, a detailed design which is in progress is targeted to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.
“The construction is estimated to commence in early 2024. With a 30-month construction period, the project is expected to be completed by 2026,” said Dr Abdul Rahman in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today when answering to Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-SUPP), who questioned the government’s solutions to solve the issue of low water pressure which has caused constant water supply interruptions and affected the daily life of the people of Sibu.
Dr Abdul Rahman pointed out that the Salim WTP Upgrading Project is part of the Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan and Water Grid as it will be one of the anchor plants in the Central Region.
He said water shortage issues in Sibu has been caused by the increasing demand for water due to development and growth.
Sibu Water Board is also embarking on the programme of unproductive water loss reduction and continuation of projects under Upgrading Sarawak Distribution System Phase II as efforts to improve water supply for Sibu.
Other projects or programmes to improve water supply distribution in Sibu include pipeline extension from Old Ulu Oya to Sibu West and construction of SIbu West Storage Tank; laying of distribution mains along Jalan Tuan 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 160 mm HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipe to Rumah Anggau, Tengah Sungai Pasai Siong off Miles 15, Jalan Oya, Sibu; proposed construction of Ground Tank at Sibu West Booster Station and proposed pipe replacement at Jalan Sg Maaw and Bawang Assan Sibu.
“These projects will improve the qualify of water supply services in both urban and rural areas to cater to demand by 2033,” said Dr Abdul Rahman. — DayakDaily
