TAWAU: The water supply issues affecting residents in this district are expected to be resolved once the RM450.5 million Phase III Tawau Water Supply Scheme project is completed before the end of next year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the project, which involves the construction of a dam to supply raw water to the Cinta Mata 1 and Cinta Mata 2 Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), is progressing according to schedule.
He described this as a positive development in his administration’s efforts to address the long-standing water supply problems inherited from previous governments.
“We can see that the project is progressing well and is on schedule. Although the contractor has applied for an extension, the important thing is that it is still scheduled for completion before the end of 2027.
“We inherited these problems; they did not arise during the tenure of the current government. However, as a responsible government, we are doing our best by allocating the necessary funds to resolve the issues and provide better facilities for the people,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Tawau Water Dam and Cinta Mata Water Treatment Plant construction projects here on Sunday.
Hajiji said the State Government is prepared to consider providing additional funding for the project if necessary, subject to reports from the Sabah Water Department (JANS) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).
He said the government is satisfied with the project’s performance after being briefed on its progress and the contractor responsible for carrying out the works.
Earlier, Hajiji was briefed on the Tawau Water Supply Scheme Phase III and the Main Water Supply Infrastructure Development for Tawau District by JANS Headquarters’Senior Assistant Director of the Monitoring Branch and Project Manager, Rodney Tinggas.
He also received a briefing on flood-prone areas in Tawau municipality and the Tawau Flood Mitigation Project Plan from Tawau DID District Engineer, Syahzarul Rizal Joddari.
According to the JANS briefing, the RM450.5 million Tawau Water Supply Scheme Phase III project, which includes the construction of the Tawau Water Dam, had achieved 74.04 per cent physical progress as of July 25, compared with the scheduled target of 73.89 per cent.
The project includes the construction of a dam with a raw water storage capacity of 30 million cubic metres (MCM) and the installation of 11.6 kilometres of 700-millimetre raw water pipelines.
Once completed, the dam will supply raw water to the Cinta Mata 1, Cinta Mata 2 and Northern Water Treatment Plants, with a combined treated water production capacity of 161 million litres per day.
The briefing also stated that the project is aimed at ensuring a reliable raw water supply to the Cinta Mata 1 and 2 as well as the Northern Water Treatment Plants, reducing the risk of raw water shortages during the dry season, and providing a sustainable source of raw water.
Among the project’s expected benefits are ensuring sufficient raw water supply for existing treatment plants, improving raw water quality through controlled reservoir storage, and reducing flood risks in downstream areas of Tawau.
The project, undertaken by Citic Wijaya Construction, is scheduled for completion on October 21, 2027.
Hajiji was also briefed on the progress of the Cinta Mata 2 Water Treatment Plant, which had achieved 16.08 per cent physical progress as of July 25.
The RM299.9 million project involves the construction of a water treatment plant with a capacity of 30 million litres per day, water storage tanks with capacities of 20 million litres and 10 million litres, as well as the installation of 12 kilometres of treated water pipelines ranging from 150 millimetres to 800 millimetres in diameter.
According to JANS, the project aims to increase treated water production capacity, ensure a stable supply of clean water, and provide a continuous clean water supply to consumers.
The Cinta Mata 2 Water Treatment Plant is scheduled for completion on July 22, 2028 and is expected to benefit approximately 42,000 consumers in Tawau and surrounding areas.
Tawau currently has 53,133 registered water consumer accounts with a pipeline network stretching 982.99 kilometres.
However, current water production stands at only 130 million litres per day, compared with demand of 142 million litres per day.
JANS also outlined several ongoing issues affecting Tawau’s water supply system, including a Non-Revenue Water (NRW) rate of 68 per cent, ageing pipelines, water theft,inadequate water storage capacity, ageing mechanical and electrical equipment, raw water quality and quantity issues, logistical constraints, and water rationing.-pr/BNN
