SWB: Sibu water woes traced to leaks at hospital, airport

Abdul Malik, flanked by Sia (left) and Loh, responds to a question posed during the press conference.
SIBU (June 21): The ongoing water supply issues affecting Kemuyang, Sibu Jaya, Rascom Camp and the surrounding areas have been primarily attributed to leaks in the pipeline supplying water to the mentioned areas.
Speaking at a press conference here today, Sibu Water Board (SWB) general manager Abdul Malik Abdullah revealed that investigations had pinpointed two key premises with suspected major internal pipeline leaks: Sibu Hospital, and Sibu Airport.
'In the case of Sibu Hospital, we have observed a noticeable increase in water consumption, from approximately 0.5 MLD (million litres per day) to 1MLD.
'Additionally, a review of the hospital's water bills also raised concerns. Typically, their monthly bill is around RM15,000.
'However, last month, it spiked to RM30,000.
'As for Sibu Airport, daily water consumption has doubled from 0.3MLD to 0.6MLD,' he said, adding that both locations had been notified of these matters.
In view of this, he said the board had slightly reduced the sluice valve opening to regulate water flow to these two locations while awaiting repair works.
According to Abdul Malik, many pipelines are ageing, with some already in service for about 30 years.
He also highlighted that the water demand in Sibu had reached its peak at 195MLD, matching the combined production capacity of the existing plants: 150MLD from the Salim Water Treatment Plant, and 45MLD from the Bukit Lima treatment facility.
'This means the system is operating at full capacity. Even minor water disruptions or leaks can impact the overall supply,' he added.
To address the issue, Abdul Malik said several main projects had been approved, with some currently being implemented.
'The Salim water treatment plant will increase its capacity from 150MLD to 300MLD, with RM300 million allocated by the Sarawak government,' he said, adding that the project commenced in May last year and should reach completion by mid-2027.
'Upon completion, Sibu's total water production capacity will increase to 345MLD, including output from the Bukit Lima water treatment plant, boosting the reserve margin in order to water usage, in which we anticipate until 2036.'
Abdul Malik also said the Sarawak government had approved RM170 million for replacement of 360km stretch of ageing pipes in phases, from this year until 2028.
'This year, five packages worth RM51 million are being implemented as part of the overall project. The Sarawak government has allocated RM1.1 billion for the initiative, with RM170 million allocated to SWB,' he said.
Furthermore, Abdul Malik pointed at the Sungai Sadit acute plant as among the mitigation measures, pending the completion of the upgrading works on the Salim water treatment plant.
'This acute system, with 4MLD production capacity, will increase our water reserves.'
He also said the non-revenue water (NRW) reduction project, expected to be completed by April 2026, should lead to water savings of 15MLD.
In addition, the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB)'s project, an acute plant in Nibong Tada, once completed, would eliminate the need for SWB to supply 2MLD of water to JBALB.
Among those present at the press conference were SWB senior manager (customer service and distribution) Loh Wei Lun and assistant executive (non-revenue water) Sia Yew Tatt. disruption pipeline leaks Sibu SWB water

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