Booster pumps proposed to ease Padawan water woes

PADAWAN: Two booster pump stations have been proposed to address low water pressure affecting about 1,512 residents in Kampung Petag, Sitang and Bangau.

Work on the pumps is expected to begin in October and could be completed within two to three months, or up to four months.

Two to three potential locations are being considered for the pumps, including areas near a church or school, subject to technical suitability and approval from the relevant parties.

The proposal was discussed during a site visit involving the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), contractors and community leaders from the three villages on Friday (Sept 18).

According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), the visit was led by Special Administrative Officer to Deputy Transport Minister (Aviation and Road) Keron Mapus.

A briefing by JBALB found that the higher elevation of Kampung Sitang and Bangau had resulted in insufficient water pressure to meet residents’ needs.

The situation has required water to be delivered by tanker trucks, while some residents also rely on rainwater and gravity-fed water systems.

The immediate project, which also covers the treated water needs of SK Petag, is being implemented under the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

Meanwhile, a more comprehensive solution to the water supply problem will depend on the implementation of the Puncak Borneo Phase II project.

The proposed project, estimated at RM4.95 million, will have a design capacity of 0.35 million litres per day (MLD).

It will involve the construction of two booster pump stations and about five kilometres of pipelines to Kampung Sitang and Bangau.