SIBU: The project to upgrade existing Phase 2 Raw Water Intake from 150 million litres per day (MLD) to 300MLD is progressing well.

According to Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Juhaili Narawi, this project is part of Sarawak’s Water Master Plan and Sarawak Water Grid System.

"This afternoon, I inspected the latest progress on the upgrading works for the Salim Water Treatment Plant, managed by the Sibu Water Board (SWB). All works are proceeding smoothly.

"The plant’s capacity is being enhanced from 150 MLD to 300 MLD upon completion. The upgrade began on May 20, 2025.

"As of now, the actual progress stands at 17.96 percent, compared to the scheduled 11.51 percent, indicating the construction works are ahead of schedule," he said during a site visit on Saturday.

Dato Sri Julaihi noted that the upgrade is fully funded by the Sarawak Government at a cost of RM291.4 million.

Once completed, the Salim Water Treatment Plant will boost Sibu’s water reserve margin to 30 per cent.

Currently, Sibu relies on water supply from the Salim Plant, with a capacity of 150 MLD, and the Bukit Lima Plant, with a capacity of 45 MLD, providing a total of 195 MLD against a demand of 200 MLD.

However, SWB, in collaboration with JBALB, has added 4 MLD to the supply through the Acute System at Sg Sadit, Sibu.

This means the existing water plants are operating above capacity to meet current demand, leaving Sibu with no reserve margin.

"Hence, the new capacity will be critical to meeting the demands in Sibu and its surrounding areas," Dato Sri Julaihi stressed.

Also present during the site visit was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Utility & Telecommunication Sarawak and Chairman of SWB, Datu Jafri Lias, SWB General Manager, Ir Itin @ Abdul Malik Abdullah, and JBALB Director, Ir Awg Fadillah Awg Reduan. -UKASnews