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KUCHING: The state government will expedite the implementation of the Sarawak Alternative Rural Water Supply (Sawas) programme to provide safe and clean water to rural areas.
Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the coverage of clean water supply in the rural areas was 61% and there was an urgency to expedite provision of water supply to the remaining 39% rural populace, which represented about 114,000 households.
He cited coastal areas in the state’s central zone, including Pusa and Kabong among the critical areas, particularly during the dry season.
Ageing reticulation system, which has become inadequate due to increased demand, also contributed to the low water supply in many rural and coastal areas.
“Sawas is targeting rural and coastal areas. The system will provide safe and clean water supply, compared with the gravity feed system that is widely used in rural areas.
“For the pilot project, we have identified five areas to implement the Sawas programme,” he told reporters after launching his ministry’s new logo at Pelita Building here.
Sawas will be undertaken by the Rural Water Supply Department in collaboration with the Minerals and Geoscience Department and Health Department through its Environment Cleanliness and Water Supply Unit.
Dr Rundi said the state planned to set up a water grid system to supply treated water across Sarawak. The master plan will cover long-term management of the state’s water sources, treatment plant capacities and distribution network.
The state also plans to supply water to Sarawak’s central zone by tapping water resources at its hydroelectric dams, with Batang Ai picked as the pilot plant for the project.
“Sarawak is blessed to have an abundance of water resources and we need to turn this into a valuable commodity that can be exported,” he said.
On the event, Dr Rundi said the new logo signified the restructuring undertaken by the ministry to improve its service, delivery and administration.
He pointed out the need for the state to overhaul its existing water supply system, which had become deficient.
The government will replace ageing pipes, rehabilitation and upgrading of water treatment plants, build reservoirs as well as looking into its non-revenue water programme.
“We will also develop our IT systems and introduce online billing. In terms of administration, we must think outside the box on ways to resolve water woes and provide clean water supply to the people while waiting for the water grid project,” he added.
On a separate note, Dr Rundi said his ministry had identified 58 water catchments throughout the state that needed to be gazetted.
The ministry will cooperate with the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) on the enforcement issue.
“We need to ensure that agriculture activities will not encroach the gazetted water catchments,” he said.
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