SIBU: Sibu Water Board (SWB) will expand its area of coverage to provide clean and treated water to the people, says Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

He believed this was achievable as SWB had highly committed and dedicated staff.

“In fact, there has been a significant jump in the area of coverage from about 38 sq km in 1959 to 1,980 sq km at present.

“Production capacity too has gone up in tandem with the growing population. The demand in 1959 was 6.8 million litres daily (MLD) but it has grown to 130 MLD at present,” he said at SWB’s annual dinner cum 55th anniversary celebration at Tanahmas Hotel here on Friday.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, added that SWB’s consumer accounts had grown to 62,100 this month from 2,747 in 1961.

Its revenue had also increased, thus necessitating for more areas to be covered, he noted.

On the issue of reduction of non-revenue water (NRW), Awang Tengah was all praise for SWB staff.

“In Sibu, laying of pipes needs to go through deep peat soil and this (task) is very challenging. Whenever there is a pipe burst or disjointed pipes due to the land condition, SWB staff speedily rectify the problem to avoid it causing inconvenience to consumers.”

On public complaints against water authorities in the state, he said: “All water authorities in the state need to strengthen their water management system to reduce public’s complaints concerning quality and quantity of water supply as a whole.”

Touching on the proposed Tanjung Manis Water Supply project that would cost nearly RM1 billion, he said he was confident it could be implemented smoothly due to the commitment of SWB and the appointed contractors.

“This is one of the single biggest projects ever implemented by a water authority in Sarawak.”

A highlight of the gathering was the launching of SWB’s safety, health and security 2014 to inculcate a safety work culture among its staff. Seven SWB staff also received long service recognitions for serving the board for over 20 years.