KUCHING: About 300 kilometres of ageing pipes in the Sarikei Division — longer than the distance from Kuching to Sibu — will be replaced under the Rural Sarawak Pipe Replacement Programme.
Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) director, Awg Mohammad Fadillah Awg Redzuan, said the implementation of this pipe replacement programme is expected to reduce the rate of non-revenue water (NRW), which is one of the main challenges faced by the department.
The Sarikei project is part of 307 pipe replacement projects being implemented or planned across the state this year, with a total approved allocation of RM1.1 billion.
“For JBALB, a total of RM558 million has been approved to implement 420 projects planned and currently underway from last year until 2028,” he said.
According to him, the implementation period for each project would depend on the length of the pipes being replaced, with duration ranging from three to ten months.
“In Sarikei Division alone, most of the pipes are asbestos cement (AC) pipes, some of which are over 50 years old and need to be replaced to improve water supply efficiency,” he said.
He said this during an Engagement Session with the Media after officiating the 2025 World Water Day celebration for JBALB Sarawak at the Waterfront Hotel on Tuesday night (Mar 18).
“This year alone, there are 307 pipe replacement projects, including ongoing and new projects. The remaining projects will be implemented in the coming years.
“These projects are small-scale and are carried out by divisions. Each division may have three to five ongoing projects,” he said.
Commenting on the NRW rate, he stated that Sarawak recorded an NRW rate of 59 per cent in rural areas.
“The replacement of old pipes aims to reduce NRW. With this five-year project, we expect the rate to be reduced to around 30 per cent.
“On average, the NRW rate in Sarawak is between 43 to 45 per cent. However, the rate is higher in rural areas due to many old pipes that have yet to be replaced,” he said.
He also urged the public to cooperate in reporting pipe leaks to help reduce water wastage.
“The media has also been very helpful in this matter. If you see a water leak, immediately send us a photo so we can take prompt action,” he added.
This pipe replacement project is part of the Sarawak government’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the water supply system, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that people receive clean and high-quality water, with full coverage targeted by 2030.
