Awang Tengah (fourth left) joining the anniversary cake cutting ceremony. He is flanked by Entri (left) and Ahmad Tarmizi. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Plans are required to ensure the security of water supply statewide.
Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said such plans also need to be updated regularly to cope with the challenges of ensuring reliable sources of raw water to the meet the rising demand of consumers.
Awang Tengah said collaboration among stakeholders is key towards solving low water pressure or dry taps during droughts.
“Over the years, our water supply authorities throughout Sarawak have been experiencing depleting raw water sources during dry seasons. As a result, contingency plans must be
put in place to ensure sustainability of water supply to the consumers.
“I am glad the Kuching Water Board (KWB) has implemented the Drought Strategic Contingency Plan, which successfully handled the problems of water shortage during the drought this year without resorting to water rationing,” he said during KWB’s 55th anniversary appreciation night on Friday.
Awang Tengah, who is Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, also lauded the board for having constructed an additional flap in April.
He said it had enabled raw water storage at the intake to increase to the minimum operating level to sustain water supply to the whole of Kuching city.
KWB is now in the midst of upgrading Plant 3 from 200 million litres per day (MLD) to 400 MLD to cater to demand here and surrounding areas.
Awang Tengah said the upgrading project is scheduled to be fully completed by 2017.
“To reduce wastage and non-revenue water, KWB has introduced metering zones to monitor pipe leakages.”
Awang Tengah said he has also directed KWB to expand its roles and functions to cover growing areas such as Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Bau, Lundu, Sematan, Tapah and Simunjan.
“I hope KWB will be able to serve not only within the areas of Kuching but also to cover the greater Kuching at large. I am confident KWB is capable of fulfilling such a responsibility.”
Among those present were Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, KWB chairman Dato Sri Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman and general manager Mohamad Sabari Shakeran.