by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 14: The Bayong water treatment plant has the potential to deliver up to 130 million litres of clean water supply per day (MLD) to central Sarawak, Premier Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says.
According to a news report by TVS, with a project value of RM68.4 million, the Premier said the upgraded plant will strengthen the water supply system in Sarikei and the surrounding areas, with its potential of supplying an additional 30 million litres of water per day (MLD) on top of its current 100 MLD capacity.
“We (the government) are working hard to supply water for Sarikei and the surrounding areas, and besides that, I have been informed that there is a possibility that this treatment plant can be increased by another 30 MLD.
“In other words, this plant can supply up to 130 million litres. If there is an increased need, there is a possibility that we will expand further,” he said at a press conference after visiting the Bayong Water Treatment Plant Phase 2B in Sarikei today.
Originally built to supply 30 MLD, the Bayong plant was first upgraded to 70 MLD, and then recently expanded to produce 100 MLD.
Abang Johari also said the plant still has room for expansion, depending on the volume water intake from the Gerugu Dam.
“The water catchment area is very large, and the amount of water in the dam can also be increased. It depends on the need and also the water supply.
“This means that the Rajang area, the central region, in the long run, will have sufficient water supply,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari also highlighted the potential of implementing renewable energy technology at the plant.
He proposed the installation of mini turbines to harness the water flow for generating electricity.
“For Sarawak, we have sufficient water supply and water can also generate power, that is why I suggested earlier that there is a possibility that we can try to install mini turbines.
“Because there is a water barrier, and we can rotate mini turbines and this area can have its own domestic electricity,” he explained.
Accompanying him on the visit were Sarawak Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and other government officials. – DayakDaily
