Pahang to resolve 90% of water woes in five years, says MB

KUANTAN: The Pahang government aims to solve at least 90% of water problems in the state within five years, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (pic).

He said the state’s water supply problems are complex and it will take careful planning, a sizable budget and time to resolve them.

He was, however, optimistic that most of the problems could be sorted out.

Wan Rosdy told the state assembly on Tuesday (Aug 2) that the Pahang government was allocating RM2.3bil to implement 237 projects related to overcoming water supply issues.

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Of these, 77 had been completed, 34 were in progress and the rest were at the design and planning stage.

"These projects involve solving the problem of supply disruption and low pressure, reduction of plant margin reserves, new water supply network, frequency of burst pipes and reduction of equipment efficiency.

"The projects also involve the installation of new pipes of various sizes of over 250km in total length to resolve the frequency of burst pipes and supply disruption," he added.

ALSO READ: RM920mil approved to improve water infrastructure in Pahang, says PAAB

He was replying to Datuk Khairuddin Mahmud (BN-Pulau Manis, who had asked about the action taken by Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad (PAIP) in dealing with water supply problems in the state.

Wan Rosdy added that 35 of the 237 projects where considered high priority, and five of those had been completed.

They include the upgrading of mechanical and electrical equipment at the Seberang Tembeling Water Treatment Plant in Jerantut and upgrading of the distribution system in Bukit Koman, Raub.

Six projects are expected to be completed this year, among them the pump installation project at the Kobat pump house at the Karak Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant; installation of clean water pumps at the Belimbing Water Treatment Plant, Pekan; and upgrading of the treatment system at the Seberang Tembeling Water Treatment in Jerantut.

ALSO READ: Booster pump facility to be built to overcome Maran, Pahang water woes, says SPAN

For the construction of the interstate water supply project from Kemaman to Gebeng covering 29km, under the East Coast Economic Region Development Council, Wan Rosdy said it was progressing according to schedule and expected to be completed in June next year.

"The impact of these projects is expected to be enjoyed by more than 140,000 account holders in all districts, including new industrial and commercial investors, as well as indirectly boost the economy of the local population and future development," he added. – Bernama