PAPAR: The prolonged and severe water supply disruptions affecting Mukim Kawang and Kinarut are now being addressed through urgent mitigation measures, including cross-connection works between the pipeline networks of the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant (LRA Kogopon) and the affected areas.
Member of Parliament for Papar, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the works are part of immediate steps approved following a special meeting chaired by the State Secretary, Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, on Jan 8 to tackle worsening water conditions in the affected regions.
“The cross-connection linking the P1 main tank at LRA Kogopon directly to the P3 main tank serving Mukim Kinarut and Kawang is being implemented to allow additional treated water to be channelled more efficiently to areas experiencing critical shortages,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Armizan, accompanied by Kawang Assemblyman Dato’ Sri Ghulam Haidar Kjan Bahadar, Limbahau Assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim, and Papar District Officer Muhammad bin Mohd Ali, inspected the progress of the works on Thursday.
A technical briefing was also conducted by the Papar Water Engineer and the appointed contractor at the Kawang site.
He explained that the cross-connection works are ongoing while awaiting the completion of the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant upgrading project (LRA Kogopon 2), which will add 40 million litres per day (MLD) upon completion in August 2026.
“Given that the LRA Kogopon 2 project is still underway and the water supply disruptions have worsened, the Jan 8 meeting approved a temporary 10 per cent increase in treatment capacity at the existing Kogopon plant.
This additional 3.4 to 4 million litres per day will be channelled directly from P1 to P3 to meet critical needs in Mukim Kinarut and Kawang,” he said.
“This temporary boost is necessary to stabilise supply and reduce prolonged rationing until the long-term solution — the LRA Kogopon 2 upgrading project — is completed in the fourth quarter of 2026,” Armizan added.
In addition to the cross-connection works at two locations, Armizan, who also serves as Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, said mitigation efforts include replacing valves at the Kogopon intake and upgrading water pumps at the existing facility.
“Field works have been carried out round-the-clock since Jan 9, except during heavy rain, with full completion targeted by Jan 24. The valve replacement will require a temporary 10-hour shutdown of the plant starting late at night on Jan 20, weather permitting. The Sabah Water Department will issue an official notice to inform residents,” he said.
Armizan hoped that the immediate mitigation measures will ease the severe water supply disruptions and resolve the long-standing rationing issues faced by residents in Kinarut and Kawang.
