KUCHING: The Sarawak government wants to ensure the southern region is fully supplied with clean treated water.

The upgrading of Plants 2 and 4 at the Batu Kitang Water Treatment facility here as well as the construction of a new facility in Landeh were part of the initiatives, said Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

“All these projects are under the 12th Malaysia Plan and will commence in 2021. The total cost is RM1.2 billion,” he told the press during a visit to the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant today.

The two initiatives, Dr Rundi said, would be sufficient to supply clean and treated water supply of up to 1,184 million litres daily (MLD).

Water production at the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant is currently about 800 MLD with full capacity at 2,050 MLD.

“Batu Kitang’s intake from Bengoh Dam will be able to meet the increasing demand for clean and treated water from Kuching up to Sebuyau.”

Dr Rundi added that the construction of the new Landeh water treatment plant was necessary in order to provide adequate clean and treated water to residents in and around Borneo Highland areas.

“Providing clean and treated water throughout Sarawak is a daunting task as half of its population live in rural areas that are hilly, rugged and distant.”