By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 4: Raw water levels at the Simunjan Water Treatment Plant have fallen below one metre following prolonged dry weather, prompting the Sarawak government to plan three immediate measures to safeguard water supply in the district.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the prolonged dry spell has caused sediment and sand to accumulate in the plant’s raw water reservoir, reducing its storage capacity and affecting water production.
Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee said Simunjan requires about 10 million litres of water per day (MLD), but the district is currently receiving only between 4.5 and 5 MLD through the existing supply system, supplemented by water from Sarawak Water and Serian.
“Although the current supply has yet to reach the required 10 MLD, the available 5 MLD is sufficient to meet the residents’ basic daily needs for now while we wait for the situation to improve,” she told a press conference after visiting the Simunjan Water Treatment Plant and attending a meeting on the water supply disruption today.
Rodiyah said three key proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to strengthen the district’s water supply system.
The first proposal involves the construction of an additional high-level water tank for Zone 3 Sungai Apin, covering the areas from Kampung Selangking to Kampung Sungai Apin as well as Simunjan Proper.
The second calls for dredging and desilting works at the Simunjan Water Treatment Plant’s raw water reservoir to increase its storage capacity.
The third proposal is to build a booster station or implement an Acute Water Supply System, similar to the one currently used in Sebuyau.
Rodiyah said the measures are crucial to improving the resilience of Simunjan’s water supply system, particularly during periods when raw water levels fall to critical levels.
She said the proposals were formulated following a site visit to the treatment plant and discussions with the relevant agencies.
Also present were Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris, Samarahan Division Rural Water Supply Department divisional water engineer Ts Adzahari Baini and Simunjan district officer Sanuyah Mohamad. — DayakDaily
