KUCHING: The Sarawak government is undertaking a massive replacement exercise for old water pipes in the distribution network statewide that will cost more than RM1bil.
The replacement project for the ageing water pipes spanning across some 2,700km from southern to northern Sarawak has begun this year, according to Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi.
He said for 2024 alone, about RM247mil is required to fund the replacement project.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said on March 30 that the Sarawak government has earmarked RM1.08bil to upgrade the old water supply pipelines across the state, and that he would ensure adequate financing for the project expected to take several years to complete.
“We will identify which is the most critical area, which requires either an upgrade for the water pipes or replacing them.
“This initiative is aimed at guaranteeing the safe and reliable distribution of treated water to all designated areas across the state,” said Julaihi during a site visit to check on the work progress of the Kuching Water Board’s Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant second phase upgrading project here recently. Because of old pipes’ leakages, water thefts and non-functioning water meters, Sarawak has recorded a high non-revenue water rate at 45.6% in 2021.
Julaihi had in the past asked water supply agencies in Sarawak to step up efforts to replace the old water distribution pipes in accordance with new alignments and to rectify non-functioning water meters to address water loss in the distribution system.
His target is to reduce non-revenue water rate to 25% by 2030.
Besides the Kuching Water Board, Sarawak has three other water supply authorities – Sibu Water Board, Laku Management Sdn Bhd (Northern Sarawak) and Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department.
Julaihi had said recently that the four water supply authorities are actively working towards integration to create a unified water supply geographical information system.
Another plan is to venture into 3D utility mapping, allowing for visualisation of pipeline depths beneath the ground, which he said, would be immensely beneficial for both water supply planning and operational activities.
Also planned is the deployment of fully automated water treatment plants by leveraging “supervisory control and data acquisition” systems and Internet of Things technology.
Julaihi said the incorporation of modern technology is crucial in effectively overseeing the entire water distribution chain from the source all the way to customers as well as resolving problems through the rapid detection and repair of water pipes’ leakages.
Digitalising the water supply system is part of Sarawak Water Supply Masterplan and Water Grid Strategy, encompassing production, distribution, retail and customer service and a centralised command centre.
The command centre serves as the central hub for information, equipped with analytical capabilities for operational, decision-making and planning coordination purposes.
In 2017, the state government launched the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme (stressed areas) with a total allocation of RM4bil to fund about 300 projects to upgrade the existing water treatment plants, construction of booster stations, improvement works to the existing water supply system and other related works.
The allocation was later increased to RM8.28bil to fund over 600 projects, including those under the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply Programme. Most of these projects have been completed.
On the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant’s second phase upgrading project, Julaihi said the project, which commenced in 2021, is estimated to cost RM107mil, and will raise the plant’s capacity to 884 million litres per day (MLD) from the current 780 MLD or an increase of 104 MLD.
The reserve margin for treated water will be increased from 8% to 12%.
Julaihi said the upgrading project is to meet the increasing demand of treated water in tandem with the growth of population, industrialisation and property development projects in the city and the Greater Kuching.
The Kuching Water Board’s network comprises 11 main reservoirs and about 3,000km of pipelines, supplying treated water to 198,643 active accounts in the city and nearby areas, including Bau, Samarahan, Asajaya and Santubong.
