SERIAN: The Serian Regional Water Supply Project Phase II, with an allocation of RM260 million fully funded by the Sarawak Government, is currently progressing actively and is expected to benefit over 1,800 households across 76 villages in the Serian Division that have yet to gain access to treated water.

Implemented by the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), the high-impact project began in October 2024 and is scheduled for completion by April 2027.

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi emphasised that the initiative is part of the Sarawak Water Supply Grid System Plan, which aims to comprehensively and sustainably resolve water supply issues in rural areas by expanding coverage.

He said this during a working visit to the Selabi Water Treatment Plant on Wednesday — the central site of the project’s implementation.

Also present during the visit were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, Datuk Martin Ben, Tebedu Assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Bukit Semuja Assemblyman John Ilus and Serian Division Deputy Resident Abdul Khalid Manap.

Phase II of the project comprises two main contract packages — Phase 1 and Phase 2 — which have achieved 19 per cent and 7.37 per cent physical progress respectively.

Phase 1 involves the installation of 900mm and 800mm diameter MSCL pipes from the Selabi Water Treatment Plant to the Melikin junction covering 33 kilometres, 65 kilometres of HDPE pipes, construction of a three-million-litre elevated water tank, and pipeline connections to 26 villages.

Phase 2 covers the installation of MSCL pipes from the Melikin junction to the Samalatong junction over 30 kilometres, 55 kilometres of HDPE pipes, a 1.8-million-litre water storage tank, a booster pump station, and pipeline connections to 50 villages.

To date, 16.5 kilometres of MSCL pipes and 9.5 kilometres of HDPE pipes have been installed under Phase 1, while Phase 2 has seen the installation of 1.97 kilometres of MSCL pipes and 5.64 kilometres of HDPE pipes. -UKASnews