From buckets to running taps: Sg Sadit plant ends years of water woes in Sibu west bank

An elderly woman washes raw chicken in her home kitchen — a routine now made easier with improved water pressure in Sibu’s west bank.

By DayakDaily Team

SIBU, May 4: What was once a daily routine of storing water in buckets is now a thing of the past for residents on Sibu’s west bank, following the completion of the Sg Sadit Water Treatment Plant last year.

The Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan chairman Kevin Lau Kor Jie said the plant has significantly improved water pressure and supply stability, effectively ending years of hardship faced by households affected by weak flow and frequent disruptions.

“Prior to the plant’s operation, residents on the west bank had long faced problems of low water pressure and even intermittent water disruptions.

“To cope with the unstable supply, almost every household had to store water daily – not only collecting rainwater but also filling buckets as a precaution against sudden outages,” he said in a statement.

Low pressure had made even basic routines difficult, with inconsistent flow affecting activities such as bathing, while water heaters fluctuated due to unstable supply. The situation worsened during weekends and public holidays when demand increased, often leaving residents struggling to access water during the day.

For those in agriculture, livestock farming and small-scale industries, including shipyard operations, the unreliable supply had also impacted livelihoods.

Drawing from feedback gathered during a recent Labour Day event organised by the branch’s Youth Wing, Lau said residents including Lau Hui Kuok, Tie Pik Ling, Tai Siew Huong, Kong Chung Ing and Lee Toh Mieng had described the improvement as immediate and noticeable following the plant’s commissioning.

He said residents reported that water flow, which was previously weak even at maximum pressure, is now strong with minimal adjustment, reflecting a clear improvement in daily water access.

He added that residents no longer need to store water or worry about sudden disruptions, allowing for a more stable and convenient daily routine.

Lau noted that the improvement followed efforts by the Sarawak government and the Sarawak Water Board (Central Region), which had engaged directly with communities to better understand and resolve long-standing issues.

At the same time, Lau said the success of the Sg Sadit plant now serves as a model for other areas still facing similar challenges.

“The construction of a new water treatment plant in the Rantau Panjang area has recently commenced, reflecting the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to addressing the basic water needs of rural communities and advancing related infrastructure development.

“Residents in Rantau Panjang, particularly those living in longhouses, had similarly faced prolonged issues of low water pressure and insufficient supply, which caused considerable inconvenience in their daily lives. With the new plant now underway, it is expected to significantly enhance the reliability of water supply in the area, ensuring residents have access to a more dependable water source,” he added.

He further revealed that his team had submitted a memorandum on the matter to Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi as early as May last year during the commissioning of the Sg Sadit facility, and had continued to follow up through site visits and engagement with residents and the Sarawak Water Board.

“With the success seen in Sg Sadit, the team is now more confident in securing similar improvements for Rantau Panjang,” he said. — DayakDaily