Three projects set to address water problems in Siburan next year

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Dr Jerip presenting the water tanks to Chia.

KUCHING: Three projects will be implemented in Siburan next year to solve the water supply problem affecting nearly 10,000 consumers across the town and its surrounding areas.

The projects comprises two short-term initiatives, namely the construction of a new ‘Five Million Litres a Day (MLD) Package’ at Tapah Water Treatment Plant and the installation of a ‘2MLD Mobile Plant’ at Sungai Serin Intake; as well as a long-term solution in the form of Kuching-Serian Road Watermains (Phase One).

Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said all these projects had been endorsed for implementation next year.

“Water supply problem has been affecting Siburan town and its surrounding areas for about 10 years. The reason is when the town was formed in early 1970s, the water supply capacity then was enough for several thousand people at the time.

“However now that the population has increased to nearly 10,000 and with more housing areas being developed, the capacity meant for 30 years ago is not enough any more,” he told the press after handing over 200 units of 1Malaysia water tanks to families under the ‘Jiwa Murni Programme’ near here yesterday.

According to Dr Jerip, the handing over of these water tanks was an immediate measure to address the water supply shortage there, before the start of the two medium-term projects.

“The tanks would enable them (families) to collect water at night for the next day, as they have no supply during peak hours. This situation is affecting more than 400 families at the moment.

According to Dr Jerip, the proposed short-term 2MLD Mobile Plant at Sungai Serin Intake – of which installation time would take up a month – could overcome the 4.98-MLD water shortage and at the same time, boost the overall water pressure in areas along the old Kuching-Serian Road.

The 5MLD Package, on the other hand, could improve overall water pressure in Siburan, Tapah and Beratok areas. Construction, Dr Jerip said, would take eight months.

Meanwhile, the long-term Kuching-Serian Road Watermains could supply consistent water supply to all consumers in Siburan, Tapah and Beratok till 2030 and beyond, he said, adding that this project would take 18 months to complete.

Community leader Kapitan Irene Chia Ai Ling and divisional Works Department engineer Lau Chong Choon were among those present at the function yesterday.