THE Utility and Telecommunications Ministry requires RM21.24 billion to fully provide clean water supply across Sarawak.
Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the water supply coverage has reached 83.6 per cent in Sarawak, covering 99 per cent of urban areas and 66.9 per cent of rural areas.
“The Sarawak government has approved an allocation of RM4 billion under the People’s Project for the development of the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme to address water supply issues in severely affected areas or stressed areas. Most of these ongoing projects are targeted to be completed by the end of 2023.
“As of April 2022, a total of 288 out of 297 projects worth about RM3.4 billion have been awarded. A total of 197 projects have been completed while another 91 projects are under various stages of implementation. The remaining nine projects are still in the tender and design evaluation stage.
“I believe with the completion of all these projects, the quantity and quality of supply as well as water pressure in the severely affected areas will improve and be adequate.
“The Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) has also successfully resolved the water supply issue by carrying out several intervention works in stressed areas,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the DUN sitting on Tuesday (May 24).
In addition, he said a total of 254 water supply projects worth RM4.51 billion were approved for implementation in the 12MP of which RM1.89 billion was funded by the Sarawak government for the implementation of four new projects by the Kuching Water Board, four projects by the Sibu Water Board and 190 extension projects.
“Meanwhile, a total of RM2.62 billion has been allocated by the federal government to fund 14 new projects and 42 extension projects. These projects include construction works of water treatment plants, water storage tanks, booster pump stations and pipeline installation.
“Upon completion of these projects, I am confident that we will be able to increase reliability and expand the coverage of water supply,” he added.
He said to realise the Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan and Water Grid Programme in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 target, the ministry needs an immediate allocation of RM165 million to carry out Front-End Engineering (FEE) work involving site investigation, survey and preliminary design work.
“JBALB is currently in the process of preparing documentation to appoint a FEE consultant.
“In line with this plan, a total of 100 water treatment plants will now be reduced to 38 major water treatment plants. Water treatment plants with small capacity and uneconomical to operate and having problems with raw water resources, will be discontinued or reused as booster pump stations,” he explained.
