Sibu Water Board striving to provide consistent and clean water supply despite challenges

SIBU: The Sibu Water Board (SWB) is trying its best to provide clean water supply throughout the town, says Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.

The Bawang Assan assemblyman said despite SWB’s efforts in doing so, the agency faces several challenges, especially due to the town’s soil condition.

He said that due to the soil condition, the town experiences about a 46 per cent water loss due to pipe bursts.

“A lot of the pipes buried underground are sinking all the time. Once they sink to a certain level, they break. So, they have to repair them and all that.

“Sometimes, pipes built a long time ago cannot be located. They built the pipes along the concrete road, but they cannot be found as they sink deeper due to the soil condition.”

Wong speaking to reporters.

Wong said this when speaking to reporters after attending a briefing with SWB conducted by SWB deputy general manager Lau Pon Yin at its office here, today (Aug 1).

Therefore, he advised the public to use water prudently and urged every household to buy some water storage tanks or containers to store water in case of sudden water disruptions.

He stressed that although water supply is under federal jurisdiction, the Sarawak government is trying its best to assist with water supply issues.

“That’s why Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has pumped in a lot of money, particularly to Sibu. As has been told, the new treatment plant at Salim costs RM300 million. This is state money,” he said.

Wong said that he is positive that the Sibu water problem would be solved in two years with the project and fund injection by the Sarawak government.

“Hopefully, by 2026 or 2027, there will be enough capacity to cater to members of the public in Sibu,” he added.

Currently, SWB operates at a capacity of approximately 195 MLD from existing treatment plants, namely the Salim Plant at 150 MLD and the Bukit Lima Plant at 45 MLD.

The construction of the Salim Water Treatment Plant Upgrading Project, which is expected to be completed in 2026 and funded by the Sarawak government, will increase the capacity of the treatment plant from 150 MLD to 300 MLD.

Upon completion, SWB will operates at a capacity of approximately 345 MLD.

Also present were Joshua Ting Fu Ying, a political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak; and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dudong chairman Datuk Teo Boon Siew.