SIBU: Water supply problems in Daro will be resolved when construction of the RM79 million water treatment plant in Matu is completed.

Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie said work on the proposed facility, which sits on 17 acres in Kampung Jemoreng, was “progressing smoothly”, and the plant would be capable of producing 10.5 million litres daily (MLD) of treated water.

He assured that he and the Public Works Department (PWD) were monitoring the project closely.

“There is no water supply problem in Matu, even with the increased consumption due to Ramadan and preparations for the coming Raya Aidil Fitri,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.

Kampung Nanga Besar villagers have complained of dry water taps since 2009. They had  to depend on the salty and brownish water from Sungai Nanga for their daily use.

Daro District Officer Shafie Ahmad told the  Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) III members on Friday that construction of the water treatment plant had been delayed.

“The problem is that water to Kampung Nanga Besar is from Matu, not Daro. Before the water reaches the village, they are all used up by an oil palm plantation.

“The water supply from Matu is clearly not enough to meet the demand of both villagers and plantation,” said Shafie.

Abu Seman said: “The slight delay in the completion of the water treatment plant is due to floods previously, but the project is progressing smoothly. The laying of pipelines has been done.”

He said the plant would have a barrack and administrative office.

Matu has a population of about 17,000 people.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/21/daro-water-woes-will-be-over-soon-says-rep/#ixzz2abKky7mb