SIMANGGANG: Local residents without access to clean water have been urged to submit applications with the completion of the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) project here.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Deputy Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said the project to upgrade water production capacity at the Empangu Water Treatment Plant, Bayai from 33.3 million litres per day (MLD) to 53.3 MLD has been completed.
“I was briefed that the water supply project has shown a positive development with the physical construction work of the building completed, but now it is still in the competency testing phase by the JBALB to determine the capability of the plant.
“Therefore, during this period, I reminded community leaders and tribal leaders (KMKK) to ensure residents in their respective area submit applications to obtain a treated water supply meter connection at the JBALB counter,” he said during a visit to the JBALB Sri Aman Division on Tuesday (April 19).
At the briefing session, Harden was told that the Empangu Water Treatment Plant supplies water to the Stumbin, Agropolitan Seduku and SMK Melugu areas.
At the same time, he added, there are future plans to build high-level water tanks at SMK Simanggang, Taman Sri Jaya, Pakit Camp and Simpang Klassen.
JBALB Sri Aman Water Engineer Adzahari Baini who gave a detailed briefing on the project stated that although the work to upgrade the Empangu Water Treatment Plant has been completed, water production stood at an average of 45 per cent.
“This is because an increase in water production pressure will affect old pipes that have not been replaced.
“I am optimistic that the supply of treated water will be cherished by the residents of Batu Lintang, Undop before the Gawai Dayak celebration.
“Although initially the implementation of the project worth RM42 million from the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) faced various constraints including the implementation of the Movement Control Order (PKP), this project was successfully executed,” he explained.
Adzahari added that the work of installing water meters to individual houses in the project area has reached 48 per cent completion.
Meanwhile, 78 per cent of the old pipe replacement work is being carried out in phases with the first phase involving Jalan Ningkan Brayun, Jalan Club, Bandar Simanggang, Jalan Foo Chow Lorong 1 and 2, STC Bus Terminal Area, Melugu Water Treatment Plant and Jalan Paip Sri Aman, he added.
