New water treatment plants

Mohamed Khaled showing the budget proposal during the state assembly meeting. — Bernama

NUSAJAYA: Three new water treatment plants will be built in Johor to overcome the water crisis using part of the RM430mil allocated by the state government to upgrade water facilities.

Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the water treatment plants in Buluh Kasap in Segamat, Pagoh in Muar and Kahang in Kluang were the main projects to be carried out by Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd.

He said the old pipes throughout the state would also be replaced to upgrade water facilities and services in Johor.

“We hope to improve the water supply services in Johor with these initiatives and overcome various water issues, especially in Pasir Gudang and Pengerang,” he said when announcing the state budget at the state assembly here recently.

Besides that, he said the Johor Water Regulatory Body (Bakaj) would also conduct research to focus on water regulatory methods and the implementation of buffer zones in catchment areas.

He added that the RM57mil allocated by the Federal Government under the 11th Malaysia Plan would also allow the state to conduct feasibility studies on water sources in Sungai Muar and environmental impact studies in Mersing.

“The fund would also include infrastructural developments such as building barrages and dams as well as upgrading dams in Johor,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state government plans to improve flood mitigation works, drainage system and sewerage maintenance projects by increasing the developer contribution collection rate by 150%.

He said developers would be required to pay RM10,000 per 0.4ha for areas under the local councils’ jurisdiction while those under municipal councils were required to pay RM5,000 per 0.4ha.

In similar developments, Mohamed Khaled said that RM1mil would be allocated to identify flash flood areas and draw up short and long-term plans to solve the matter.