RM12 mln Nibong Tada water system completed, boosts Kanowit rural water supply

Julaihi (right) being briefed on the water supply project during a visit to the Nibong Tada Acute Water System project site in Kanowit on May 4, 2026. Photo credit: ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KANOWIT, May 5: The RM12 million Nibong Tada Acute Water System project in Kanowit has been fully completed and is now operational, significantly boosting treated water supply capacity for the local community and strengthening rural water coverage in the area.

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the project, which was fully funded by the Sarawak government, was completed in less than a year after works commenced in November last year, reflecting the State’s efficiency in delivering critical basic infrastructure.

“The plant is supported by two elevated tanks with capacities of 3.5 million litres and 1.0 million litres respectively, while the raw water source from the Rajang River is sufficient and stable,” he told reporters after a site visit to the facility on Monday (May 4).

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Julaihi added that the project forms part of broader efforts to enhance treated water access in rural areas across Kanowit and surrounding regions.

Meanwhile, another major component under the Kanowit Water Supply Phase 2 Project, the booster pump station at Jalan Durin, is also progressing as planned and is expected to further expand water supply coverage.

He said the station has a design capacity of 1.5 million litres per day and will receive supply from the Salim Water Treatment Plant, which is currently undergoing upgrading works.

“The project also involves the installation of 55 kilometres of pipelines, including a diversion through Sibu Jaya, to ensure wider and more sufficient water distribution to targeted areas,” he said.

The treated water supply will eventually be channelled to the Bukong Jagoi distribution tank, which has a capacity of 3.5 million litres per day.

According to Julaihi, both projects are part of the Sarawak government’s large-scale initiative involving nearly RM7 billion for the implementation of about 360 water supply projects statewide. — DayakDaily