KUCHING, March 28: The Batu Kitang water treatment plant is undergoing a significant upgrade to increase its production capacity from 780 million litres daily (mld) to 884 mld, marking a substantial increase of 104 mld.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi announced that the project, initiated in March 2021 at a cost of RM107 million and fully funded by the Sarawak government, is expected to be fully operational by July this year.
Julaihi highlighted that besides boosting production capacity, the project will also raise the water reserve margin from five percent to 12 per cent, enhancing the reliability of water supply in the region.
“With the full completion of the project, undertaken by the Kuching Water Board (KWB), treated water supply will be extended to various areas including Kuching city proper, Petra Jaya, Santubong, Rambungan, Demak Laut, Sampadi, and parts of Samarahan division,” Julaihi informed reporters during a site visit to the plant.
He further noted that parts of the areas in Samarahan, such as Sadong Jaya, Asajaya, Sebuyau, Sebangan, and Simunjan, will also benefit from the upgraded water supply.
Emphasising the pivotal role of KWB in supplying treated water, particularly in Kuching areas, Julaihi highlighted that the project will also contribute to meeting the demand for treated water supply in rural areas through the Rural Water Supply (JBALB).
As of March this year, KWB’s network comprises 11 main reservoirs and approximately 3000km of water pipes serving 198,643 active accounts in Kuching and nearby areas in Samarahan, Asajaya, Santubong, and Bau.
The statement also mentioned that with the implementation of various water grid projects under ‘Projek Rakyat’ by JBALB, KWB has steadily increased supply from 100 mld to 120 mld to the department over the past few years, with a projected increase to 186 mld by next year.
Furthermore, the new Landeh water treatment plant, currently in the planning stage with a total capacity of 800 mld, is expected to provide KWB with a sufficient reserve margin of about 20 percent until 2050, ensuring long-term water security for the region. — DayakDaily
