KUCHING, April 3: Various high impact projects are being implemented by the Sarawak government through the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and Sibu Water Board (SWB) to address the water supply issue in Pulau Bruit, Mukah.
According to JBALB in a press statement today, these include the short, medium and long-term projects being funded by the Sarawak government in efforts to resolve the water supply issue that has plagued the locals in Pulau Bruit.
“When these projects are completed, it will be of great benefit to the residents of Pulau Bruit, namely Kpg Bruit, Kpg Tekajong, Kpg Salak Kecil, Kpg Penipah, Kpg Semop, Kpg Saai, Kpg Kut, Kpg Sebako, Kpg Sedi/Egypt, Kpg Betanak, Kpg Penibong, Kpg Penuai and Rh.Juing, with better and continuous water supply distribution compared to other areas,” it said.
The water supply to this area is from two sources, namely JBALB and LAS.
JBALB noted, for a short -term solution, the Acute Water Supply Project, which is currently in the final phase of construction at the Semop Water Treatment Plant under JBALB, is expected to start operations in May 2021 and will channel additional water to the Saai High Level Tank through a new pipeline, and subsequently supply water to Pulau Bruit area.
It said for the medium-term solutions, several projects are also being implemented under Project Rakyat, namely the proposed 20MLD Direct River Water Intake for Tanjung Manis Water Supply (under SWB) project worth around RM17 million, which is expected to be completed in Jan 2022.
“Together with the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Program – Stressed Area Improvement of Water Supply to Tanjung Manis, Jerijih, Belawai, Sekumang, Rejang, Serdeng  Package 1 – Proposed Pipeline from Baji to Sekumang including Submarine Pipeline and Associated Works (under JBALB) worth RM50.3 million and expected to be completed by Dec 2021.
“Including the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Program – Stressed  Areas: Proposed Water Supply to Pulau Bruit, Mukah Division (under SWB) worth RM64.4 million, which is still in the construction phase, and expected to be complete in April 2022,” it added.
Meanwhile, JBALB said they will also provide a Centralised Water Collection Centre in a strategic and critical areas in Pulau Bruit to make it easier for the local residents to get clean water supply while waiting for the project that are under construction to be fully completed.
“The delivery of water supply using tanker trucks is also done by JABLB Mukah Division in the affected areas, especially in Kampung Penipah, Kampung Tekajong and Kampung Bruit,” it said. — DayakDaily
