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By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, July 20: The three water treatment plants at Slabi, Tapah and Balai Ringin, here have sufficient capacity to supply treated water to Serian and Samarahan, including Gedong and Simunjan.
In stating this, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi, said the three water treatment plants produce a total capacity of 129.2 millions of litres per day (mld).
For the treatment plant at Slabi, it has a capacity of 110 mld, while for Tapah and Balai Ringin, capacity is 17mld and 2.2mld, respectively.
“For the three water treatment plants in Serian Division, the production capacity is nothing to worry about because there is enough supply not only for Serian alone, but for other divisions like Samarahan as well.
“Our only commitment now is to lay distribution pipes to areas which are without treated water supply,” Julaihi told reporters today during a visit to Slabi Water Treatment Plant here.
Accompanying him on the visit were Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, Serian and MP Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus and Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sindang Bada, among others.
According to Julaihi, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) in Kuching and Serian have 35,000 account holders.
Julaihi also said that several projects related to treated water supply in Sarawak has been approved under the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysian Plan.
The projects, he pointed out, encompass improving water treatment plants in Sarawak, including smaller ones to cope with future demand for clean water.
“As of now, Sarawak needs about 2,000mld and the demand will continue to increase in the future, so we need to prepare ourselves,” he added. — DayakDaily
