KUCHING: After electricity exports, Sarawak is mulling to export treated water as a new revenue stream to bolster state coffers.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said discussions are currently ongoing to export treated water to a neighbouring country, which he declined to name.
“There is an effort to develop water as another export commodity for Sarawak. It will provide us with an additional income,” he said after opening the Borneo International Water & Wastewater Exhibition last week at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.
He said Sarawak’s extensive river network, coupled with existing water purification technology, makes the plan to export treated water feasible.
The earliest Sarawak could export treated water would be when the government achieves the target of 100% in providing clean water supply to its entire population by 2030, he added.
Currently, Sarawak’s overall water supply coverage is 86.1%, with rural coverage at about 71.9%. Sarawak has been exporting electricity to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Sabah.
There are plans for state-owned Sarawak Energy Bhd to extend the export of hydro-powered energy to neighbouring Brunei via northern Sarawak, as well as Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia via submarine cables.
Abang Johari said Sarawak recognises the potentials in exploring broader regional cooperation involving water resources and related industries.
“With our abundant water resources, we believe there are opportunities to explore new areas of collaboration that deliver mutual economic and development benefits for the region.
“One such opportunity is the responsible exploration of water as a strategic resource, including its potential for cross-border supply where it is technically, economically and environmentally viable. Realising this vision will require engineering innovation, sound scientific assessment and careful consideration of environmental sustainability and climate resilience,” he added.
The premier said as the world evolves, water is increasingly recognised as a strategic commodity of critical importance.
He said as Sarawak continues to industrialise, the demand for reliable and sustainable water supply will grow, and today, investors assess not only energy and connectivity but also the long-term security and resilience of water resources.
“Sarawak is undertaking a major transformation of its water sector. Through the Sarawak Water Supply Masterplan and Water Grid, we are improving connectivity and reliability of water supply across the state.
“This plan will develop an extensive main water grid extending from the south to the north of Sarawak, complemented with Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (Sawas) to serve remote communities that are not accessible by water grid infrastructure.
“Significant investments have been made to expand treated water coverage, upgrade ageing infrastructure, reduce non-revenue water and improve operational efficiency,” he said.
Abang Johari said the implementation of major water treatment plants, distribution networks and rural water supply projects continue to improve accessibility and service reliability across Sarawak.
Under the Sarawak Water Grid system project, he said the state would lay about 2,800 km of pipeline and construct or upgrade 21 anchor water treatment plants.
“This integrated network will significantly enhance the reliability and resilience of Sarawak’s water supply system,thereby safeguarding long-term water security for all communities.
“Complementing our water grid system is the Sawas programme, which delivers innovative decentralised and off-grid water solutions to remote communities.
“Using technologies such as solar-powered and gravity-fed systems, Sawas has already provided clean water to about 2,600 households at 79 villages or longhouses with another 1,300 villages and longhouses set to be covered in the next phase.”
