Masalah air di Tawau dijangka selesai sebelum akhir 2027

Kuala Lumpur: The Sabah Chief Minister, Hajiji Noor, has assured that the RM450.5 million Phase III Water Supply Scheme project in Tawau will conclude before the end of 2027, addressing the water supply issues faced by the local population. Speaking to reporters after visiting the construction site of the Empangan Air Tawau and LRA Cinta Mata 2, Hajiji emphasized that despite contractors requesting additional time, the project's completion remains on schedule.

He acknowledged that the state had inherited this problem, which is not a recent development, but as responsible authorities, they are doing their best to resolve it and improve the populace's convenience. The government is prepared to conduct further research if there is a need to expand the project's budget, depending on recommendations from the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) and the Water and Sewer Department (JPS).

The Phase III water supply scheme, which involves the construction of an Empangan Air Tawau reservoir with a capacity of 30 million cubic meters and 700mm diameter water pipes covering 11.6km, has progressed by 74.04% as of July 25. The project includes the construction of a reservoir, 11.6km of water supply pipes, and the provision of water to LRA Cinta Mata 1, LRA Cinta Mata 2, and LRA Utara with a total daily production capacity of 161 million liters, reducing the flood risk in the Tawau catchment area.

Additionally, Hajiji listened to updates on the development of the LRA Cinta Mata 2 project, scheduled for completion by July 22, 2028, benefiting around 42,000 users in Tawau and the surrounding areas. As of July 25, the construction of the 30 million JLH-capacity LRA project, valued at RM299.9 million, had reached 16.08% physical progress.

Of the registered 53,133 water user accounts in Tawau, 130 million liters of water have been consumed, compared to the demand of 142 million liters.