SABAH’S water pipe network, stretching 16,244 kilometres (km), is being replaced in phases by district priority, targeting aged, critical and frequently failing pipes to improve water distribution and cut losses.
“About 100km of old pipes have been replaced over the past five years at a cost of roughly RM40 million,” State Works and Utility Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said in response to Sri Tanjong’s concern over aged pipes.
“Implementation focuses on high-risk areas that frequently experience leaks and water supply disruptions,” he said in his Ministry’s winding up speech.
Additionally, he said the Federal Government has agreed to hand over 83 rural water supply projects under the National Rural Water Supply Programme to the Sabah Government to speed up delivery, with details on implementation to be coordinated between the State and Federal governments soon.
In Tawau, Dr Joachim said three high-impact projects are underway to resolve long-term water supply problems.
“The Tawau Water Supply Scheme Phase III, worth RM470 million, has reached 91.47 per cent progress as of March 30, and is expected to be completed on Oct 21, 2027,” he said.
“The Cinta Mata 2 Water Treatment Plant, worth RM335 million, has reached 10.15 per cent completion with an expected finish of July 22, 2028.
“A third project involving the installation of transmission and main distribution pipes in parts of Tawau town, costing RM236.68 million, was approved under 13MP Rolling Plan 1, and is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027,” he added.
For Semporna, Dr Joachim said a rural water supply project, including a 90-million-litre off-river storage facility, three water storage tanks, three pump houses and 75km of reticulation pipes, has reached 99.8 per cent physical completion.
“The Kalumpang Water Treatment Plant is expected to begin operations as soon as testing and commissioning are completed,” he said.
Addressing Sekong’s concerns over water theft, Dr Joachim said 1,574 illegal connection cutting cases were carried out by the Sabah Water Department from 2023 to March this year, rising from 208 cases in 2023 to 782 in 2025.
“Areas such as Flat Mawar, Kampung Lebak Meluas Darat and parts of Sandakan are suffering low water pressure due to high theft rates and a coordinated multi-agency approach is needed for a lasting solution,” he said.
On water supply disruptions in Kg Likas and Kingfisher, raised by Darau, Dr Joachim said the problem stemmed from reduced pump efficiency at Telibong 2 Phase 1 Water Treatment Plant and a pipe leak along Jalan Politeknik.
“Repair works on the transmission pipe were completed on April 22, 2026, though supply restoration took longer due to storage tanks and pipe networks having been emptied during the repairs. At present, water supply has been restored progressively,” he said.
For Putatan under the Tanjong Keramat constituency, Dr Joachim said construction of the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 is ongoing and scheduled to produce water by March 28, 2028, while an upgrade of the Kasigui Water Treatment Plant is scheduled for completion in February 2027.
“A pipe replacement project stretching 28km across Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan costing RM200 million was approved under 13MP Rolling Plan 1 and is expected to begin in 2027,” he said.
For Bongawan, Dr Joachim said the Bongawan Rural Water Supply project involves the construction of a water treatment plant with a capacity of six million litres per day and 16 kilometres of pipe network.
“The project is in its pre-implementation stage and procurement will be carried out by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. In the short term, the Kabang intake project is expected to be fully operational in July 2026, while the Kogopon Phase 2 upgrade is expected to be partially operational by August 2026 to address saltwater intrusion problems,” he said.
For Bengkoka, a rural water supply project covering the Pitas district is in the procurement stage and will serve 2,460 homes across 84 villages in Kalumpang, Dandun and Pantai.
On non-revenue water, raised by Lamag, Dr Joachim said a three-year pipe maintenance and repair programme in Kinabatangan is underway as a short-term measure, while a holistic reduction programme for the district has been approved under the 13MP.
“For remote villages including Kampung Balat, Kampung Sangau, Tolukulu and Kampung Lukang, a new water treatment plant will be applied for under 13MP Rolling Plan 3,” he said.
For Kuamut, he said, four water projects covering villages including Kg Masaum, Kg Inorog, Kg Minusuh, Kg Keramuak and Kg Sogo-Sogo have been planned by the Sabah Water Department, with some pending applications and others already approved.
For Bugaya, an application for additional water tankers for the Semporna district is awaiting approval, with private tanker services engaged in the interim.
On Moyog, he said, a rural water supply project for Upper Moyog in Penampang involving a four-million-litres-per-day water treatment plant and 34 kilometres of pipe network has been approved and is in the pre-implementation stage.
Regarding University Malaysia Sabah, raised by Merotai, Dr Joachim said past water disruptions at the campus have been resolved.
He called on UMS to ensure efficient internal water distribution across all blocks and faculties, noting that the network beyond the main meter falls under the university’s own responsibility.
