INFORMATIVE: Manyin (left) being briefed by Rumai (centre) on the new plant as they tour the exhibition area prior to the soft opening ceremony. — Photos by Chimon Upon
READY: The new 50MLD water treatment plant in Slabi.
SERIAN: Water woes in some villages in Serian, particularly those in the Bukar area, are not over yet although the new water treatment plant in Slabi which has a capacity of 50 million litres daily (MLD) is already running since April.
Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak assistant director in charge of water supply, Rumai Galis, conceded these villages did not get to enjoy uninterrupted treated water supply due to ‘local problems’ affecting the connection system.
Stressing the old pipeline in the system was still good, he admitted that there were weaknesses in a few places, including ‘injured’ pipelines due to digging works which caused pipes to burst and leak and disrupt the supply.
“The pipeline is like a road network; it takes time for water to creep in and slowly stabilise until the end of the line. If we want to replace (the old pipeline), it will be a good thing but this costs a lot of money.
“On the operation side, we are making sure the pressure builds up slowly, to reduce the leakages or non revenue water (NRW),” he told reporters yesterday after the soft opening of the new treatment plant in Slabi officiated by Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.
Residents of Bukar Bidayuh villages such as Bunga, Taee and Panchor Dayak had been complaining that they had not experienced a dependable and regular supply of water for more than 10 years, and the problem got worse every Gawai celebration in the middle of the year.
Rumai hoped the problem would be over soon, following the construction of a connection at Riih junction, which now enables most Bukar villages along the Baki-Riih road to enjoy uninterrupted treated water supply.
Meanwhile, the new water treatment plant in Slabi is part of the first phase of upgrading of water supply in Serian district, which cost RM205 million in total including laying of pipes and installation of booster stations.
The first phase was to meet the household and commercial needs in Tebedu, Bukar area and Serian town, and another RM90 million is needed to supply the water to the Mentung Merau/Mongkos region.
Manyin said the second phase, which would supply water to Balai Ringin up to Paku, 48 kilometres away, could commence when the requested funds of RM105 million were made available by the federal government.
Once completed, the current plant in Balai Ringin would be decommissioned. The supply to Pantu is also to cater for the new centralised pig farming area there.
“We were already given the assurance (by the federal authorities) to approve (the allocation),” he said, adding the 75MLD from both the old and new plants in Slabi would be enough during emergencies such as drought.