KOTA KINABALU: The RM320.25mil allocation from the government will be used to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) as an immediate measure to alleviate the water supply issue in Sabah, said Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the State Water Department would also carry out works to replace old pipes and water pumps at various water treatment plants.
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He said these works would be covered in the 20 programmes planned for nine districts - Putatan, Tuaran, Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and here.
"These 20 programmes will be implemented immediately and we expect them to be completed in six to 12 months," he said at an event here on Friday (June 2).
Other efforts to be carried out include curbing water theft, installing new pipes or to repair existing pipes as well as to increase the number of pump boosters and to replace damaged water pumps, he added.
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"Hopefully, within the next six months, the people can enjoy uninterrupted water supply," he added.
Shahelmey, who is also state Works Minister, said the Sabah Water Department would manage the water distribution process while construction on the Telibong II water treatment plant in Tamparuli is being carried out.
The plant, located about 40km from here, supplies water to most parts of the west coast including Kota Kinabalu, Putatan and the Papar district.
When completed, he said, the plant would provide an additional 80 million litres of water to the state capital daily.
Shahelmey had on May 9 said the Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project at the Telibong II treatment plant was unable to fully commence because of land issues.
He said the plant is scheduled for completion this month but pipe-laying works had yet to start.
The Public Works Department (JKR) and Sabah Water Department are discussing the best method to lay the pipes, he added.
