PAPAR: Failure by the then Warisan State Government to implement the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Phase Two project since 2019 is why thousands in Papar, Kinarut and surrounding areas are affected by water shortage currently.
Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Azrul Ibrahim, said the strategic project should have been implemented earlier but was not continued by Papar’s elected representative.
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“Today they are acting as heroes. If that project had proceeded in 2019, water supply would be more stable in the affected areas today,” Azrul said.
Present were Kawang Assemblyman Datuk Seri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and residents’ representative Herbert Lye.
Azrul said Papar Member of Parliament Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali initiated construction of the Kogopon WTP Phase Two in less than a year, with the project expected to be completed in August.
“While waiting for it to be completed, the Water Department needs to ensure supply to residents is not disrupted,” he said.
He pointed out the importance of communication and coordination among all parties to ensure water supply assistance can be effectively channelled to affected areas.
Increased water demand during Christmas and school holidays, combined with river water turbidity, had been identified as reasons for supply disruptions since last week.
Papar Water Department Officer cum Engineer Afiq Abqari Nain said the Kogopon WTP is currently operating at a maximum capacity of 40 million litres per day, but still insufficient to meet current needs.
“Water supply demand increased significantly during the festive season and school holidays, especially in densely populated areas like Kinarut.
“At the same time, the Kogopon WTP capacity is already at maximum level, only able to supply 40 million litres of water,” he said.
He said that any technical disruption or river water turbidity exceeding 1,000 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) forces water production to be reduced to below 30 million litres per day to ensure the safety of the treated water supply.
He said areas receiving supply from the Kawang P3 Tank involve high-density settlements, including housing estates, multi-storey buildings in Kinarut and several villages around Kawang.
“For example, in Puncak Gloxinia alone, there are about 1,200 housing units, while other areas like Taman Limauan and flats each involve hundreds of residential units, including high-rise buildings that require sufficient water pressure,” he said.
He noted that water pressure factors, elevation of areas, and use of private water pumps also contribute to situations where some areas receive supply while neighbouring areas experience disruptions.
“Although the water supply is channelled, the water pressure needs time to recover gradually. Lower areas will receive supply earlier compared to areas at higher elevations,” he said.
Afiq Abqari also said these areas are already on a monthly water rationing schedule, but the year-end situation saw more severe disruptions following extraordinary demand.
With schools reopening, the Department is working to stabilise supply as quickly as possible by implementing planned rationing while awaiting completion of the project.
Herbert said supply disruptions forced them to seek clarification from the Water Department.
